Funeral for Tayla Black and baby Murphy Margaret at Rockhampton

The grieving parents of Rockhampton mother Tayla Black say they have been in their ‘own little bubble’ with the knowledge of the community support around them after the death of their daughter and granddaughter. SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Anmaree and Gerry Black (front) carry the coffin holding their beloved daughter Tayla Black and granddaughter Murphy Margaret. PHOTO: Steve Vit

As the haunting strains of Hallelujah then Twinkle Twinkle Little Star played, joyous photos of Tayla Black and Murphy Margaret appeared above a single white casket as mother and baby were farewelled as they had lived – together.

Facing a goodbye as unfathomable as the alleged act that took Tayla and Murphy from them, Anmaree and Gerry Black were courageously composed at a service which was not about the pair’s tragic final moments but a celebration of who they were before.

Reflecting on 30 years with a vibrant daughter who loved being the “life of the party” and 11 weeks getting to know their “precious” granddaughter, the Blacks wrote in a tribute how fortunate it was that “Tayla and Murphy knew how proud we were of them and how loved they both were as we know too how much they loved and adored us”.

The lives of Rockhampton's Tayla Black and 11-week-old Murphy Margaret were celebrated.

“Not a day will go past when our girls are not in our thoughts and hearts,” they said in the tribute read by their celebrant.

“We will talk to them as we always did, listen to the songs that remind us of them and we will keep their memory alive and while Murphy will always be in Tayla’s arms, they will both be in our hearts forever until we meet them again.”

The crowd of hundreds at Rockhampton’s Baptist Church heard how on learning she was pregnant, Tayla had gone into “full parent mode”, compiling a birth plan, doing an infant first aid course, modules on hypno-birthing and sending her mum a list of things to bring to the hospital.

She loved to dress Murphy up in the “many, many” outfits she had for her, sing and read to her.

Mr Black thanked family, friends, colleagues, police, first responders, the funeral home and the Queensland Homicide Victim’s Support group for helping guide his family through “this incredibly difficulty time”. Photo: Steve Vit.

The family recalled the moment the proud new mum was parking at the local Stockland shopping centre and despite spotting several free spaces along the way, wanted to park in the spot specifically marked for parents with prams.

“I deserve it”, she’d proclaimed to her parents who shared fond memories of Tayla and Murphy visiting, sitting on their balcony watching sports, playing cards and getting “all the Murphy cuddles and kisses”.

“We knew how lucky we were that our girls wanted to be with us as we wanted to be with them,” their tribute read.

In a final act of bravery, Tayla’s parents escorted the casket from the church but not before briefly addressing the crowd in person.

Tayla’s parents escorted the casket from the church but not before briefly addressing the crowd in person, thanking police, first responders, the funeral home and the Queensland Homicide Victim’s Support group. Photo: Steve Vit.

Mr Black thanked family, friends, colleagues, police, first responders, the funeral home and the Queensland Homicide Victim’s Support group for helping guide his family through “this incredibly difficulty time”.

“For all your support we say ‘thank you’.”

They also thanked loved ones from across the community and country for their messages of support and visits to their deck since the loss of their daughter and granddaughter three weeks ago.

“We have been in our own little bubble with the knowledge we have so much outside support … we can feel everyone wrapping their arms around us,” Mrs Black said

Tayla Black with baby daughter, Murphy Margaret.

“For now all that is left to say is ‘forever in each other’s arms … fly high, visit often.”

Ensuring her daughter was honoured by her birth name, the mother added “always was Tayla Black, always will be Murphy Margaret – we love you.”

Mourners were told the parents would soon be escorting Tayla and Murphy to a private cremation before joining the wake at the local sports club.

Sports had been central to Tayla’s life.

She loved watching and tried her hand at most of them and was passionate about her Saints, so much so that when Murphy was born, a little outfit in team colours was waiting.

From an early age her parents had been told by teachers they were raising a “leader” not a follower.

Mourners gather at Rockhampton Baptist Church to farewell Tayla Black and her 11-week-old daughter Murphy Margaret.

Fond of the colour pink, animals (her family would jokingly call her “Tayla Attenborough”) and harbouring a hatred of onions, a night well spent for Tayla would include karaoke and “dodgy dancing”.

In a tribute read out her behalf, Tayla’s sister remembered growing up alongside her “cheeky smile and husky voice”.

“She could light up the room and belt out a tune better than Miley Cyrus, her doppelganger.

“We will think of you every day and hold you both in our hearts forever … we love you both … past the moon and miss you beyond the stars”.

When the funeral notice was published last week, the family described Tayla and Murphy as having been “tragically taken from us”.

Tributes left by family, friends and members of the community at the house where Tayla Cox and baby Murphy Margaret lived before allegedly murdered on August 8, 2023.

The two were the “precious and adored” daughter and granddaughter of the Blacks and “treasured and deeply loved granddaughter and Great-Granddaughter of Margaret and Bob (dec) Edwards”

Tayla was also a “loving sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend”.

“The love shared between our beautiful Tayla and gorgeous Murphy Margaret was a radiant light that warmed our hearts and will forever illuminate our memories”, the notice read

Matthew Cox remains in custody charged with the murders of his wife and child.