Thelma Ruth Murphy was born the daughter of Milton Dickey and Frankie (Dwiggins) Dickey on October 23, 1921 in Salina, Kansas and died July 17, 2012 at Shady Oaks Healthcare in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 90 years.
She was united in marriage on May 3, 1938 in Oregon County, Missouri to Alvin Murphy, who preceded her in death on February 22, 2006.
She is survived by nine children, Shirley Hunsperger and husband, Junior of Brandsville, Missouri, Betty Baldridge and husband, Everett of Hardy, Arkansas, Ruth Cornell and husband, Jim of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Bertha Jean Huffmaster and husband, Danny of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Louise Bishop of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Alvin D. Murphy and wife, Diane of Centerton, Arkansas, Neoma Todd and husband, Harold of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Joey Murphy and wife, Linda of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas and Anna Belle Gengler and husband, Richard of LeMars, Iowa; twenty-two grandchildren; forty great grandchildren; fourteen great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Frankie Dickey; her husband, Alvin Murphy; three great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters.
Thelma was a member of the Church of Christ of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. She was a quilter of rags; enjoyed her flower garden, collecting seeds and fishing in the Jackie Privett Lake. Most of all, she loved her grandkids, who were the light of her life.
She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Children’s Homes of Paragould, Arkansas. Memorial contributions may be left at the Carter Funeral Home in Thayer.
Funeral services for Mrs. Murphy will be Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer with Lee Moses officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, July 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Flint Cemetery near Mammoth Spring.