Margaret Murphy

Margaret Ann "Maggie" Murphy Bluefield, WV- Margaret Ann Murphy, 84, of Bluefield, WV passed from this life at her home on Friday, August 7, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Raphine, VA on September 10, 1924. When she was eight, her family settled in Bluefield, which remained her hometown for life. Miss Murphy was a lifelong educator and mentor to young people. She received an associate degree from Bluefield College in 1944; a BS in education from Concord College, 1946; an MS in counseling from University of Wisconsin, 1959; and an MA in English from Marshall University, 1973. She taught at Bluefield High School from1946-1950. She served as Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church of Bluefield from 1950-1962, when she accepted a position in the counseling center at Davis and Elkins College. In 1971 she became assistant professor of English at Southwest Virginia Community College. She retired with emeritus status in 1988. She was a longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the sorority of education professionals. Maggie's love of music received expression when she began singing in the choir of First Presbyterian Church at age fourteen, and she continued as a faithful choir member there until her illness a year ago. She also had been a member of the A Capella Choir at Bluefield High School. The heart and soul of her church family, as the church historian, and as a Sunday School teacher for generations of middle school youth, she lived out her love of God in service to others. As a youth leader, she took church groups on trips to Atlanta, Nashville, and Mexico. She continued her travel and explorations of the world and its cultures throughout her lifetime. In addition to her church, her other passion was education and opening the world of books to others through her volunteer work with the Mercer County Literacy Council and the Friends of the Library. Her love of animals - especially her dog Midget - was also well-known to all, and she supported the Mercer County Humane Society. Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Murphy Jr. and Mary Archer Murphy. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Gray, of Roswell, GA; nieces Sharon (Dan) Mohn, of Louisville; Kathie (Greg) Pope, of Leawood, KS; nephews Charlie (Marge) Gray, of Pueblo, CO; Paul (Mark) Gray, of Haslett, TX; David (Irene) Gray, of Kansas City, MO; and a number of great-nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her canine companion, Midget. The family will receive friends at the Mercer Funeral Home Tuesday evening, from 6-8p.m. A celebration of her life and Christian resurrection will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bluefield. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Bluefield or to the Mercer County Humane Society. Those wishing to share memories or e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Miss Margaret Ann Murphy.

Margaret Murphy

September 10, 1924 - August 7, 2009