Charles W. Murphy

Mantachie - Charles W. Murphy, 84, died Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after a short illness. An Itawamba County native, he was born to Luther Henry and Lula Mae McMillen Murphy. He grew up on a farm in the Fawn Grove community. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. After returning from his military service, he graduated from Mooreville High School and then went on to Mississippi State University where he earned his Masters and Education Specialist degrees. He taught school at Mooreville before becoming principal at Belden High School. He later served as guidance counselor for Itawamba Community College where he also taught sociology and economics. He also served as principal as Mooreville Elementary School. He retired after a teaching career of 29 years. He also enjoyed farming and raised black angus cattle. He was a wonderful Christian example to his family and friends. He lived a lifetime of service to others and often did many acts of kindness anonymously. He was a member of the Fulton Masonic Lodge 444 and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a member of Boguefala Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, and teacher.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Boguefala Baptist Church with Rev. Rev. Royce Hawkins and Rev. David Perry officiating. Burial will be in Boguefala Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Christine Murphy; his daughter, Angela Hope Nichols (Billy) of Tupelo; his son, Dennis Charles Murphy (Judy) of Guntown; his step-daughters, Judy Massey (Jackie) and Tammy Lochridge (Rick); his brother, William Henry Murphy of Pensacola, Fla.; his grandchildren, Joseph Murphy Nichols and Kellie Grace Nichols; and his step-grandchildren, Grant Spradling (Jennifer), Adam Spradling (Marcie), Casey Lochridge, Matthew Miller, and April Turner (Paul); nine step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters, Geneva Lee Morgan, Nevona Mae Murphy, Mary Inez Dobbins, Ellis Laverne Rose, Lora Elizabeth McIntire, Clara Varnell McIntire, and Thora Lou Murphy; two brothers, James Audria Murphy and Luther Quinton Murphy; and his first wife, Mildred Smith Murphy, to whom he was married for 47 years.

Pallbearers will be William Dewayne Morgan, Bobby Dale Irvin, James Carnathan, Willie Schumpert, Jackie Massey and Rick Lochridge.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Men's Sunday School Class of Boguefala Baptist Church.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. until services time at the church Friday.