Elvis Murphree

Tupelo - Elvis Emory Murphree, 85, died Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. A Lee County native, he was born November 30, 1922 to the late Lesker and Mary Maude Robinson Murphree. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Battle of the Buldge. He was a jack of all trades, working as a salesman, carpenter, farmer and factory worker. He was most proud of the last 14 years he spent driving a school bus for the Lee County School System and loved the children he drove to school each day. He enjoyed watching sports and fishing with his buddies, J.C. King and Bill Mills. He loved gardening and shared his produce with the community. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he served as a song leader and had a close friendship with the men of the church.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Pastor Wexford Palmer and Rev. Milton Wright officiating. Burial will be in Palmetto Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Jearlean Hardin Murphree of Tupelo; two daughters, Mary Murphree of Tupelo and Judy Brackeen (Wayne) of Jackson, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Michelle Neely (David) of Augusta, Ga., Jonathan Murphree of Tupelo, Courtney, Christopher and Charlie Brackeen of Jackson, Tenn.; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Russell Lee Murphree; his granddaughter, Mandie Murphree; and eight brothers and sisters.

Pallbearers will be Thurman Hardin, Wayne Brackeen, Bobby Norris, Josh Richey, Trent Kelly, and Bobby Hardin.

Honorary pallbearers will be J.C. King, Bill Mills, and Jack Sheffield.


Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.