June Maxine MURPHY

June 7, 1933 - February 3, 2023

June Maxine Murphy (Maw), age 89, passed away on February 2, 2023. This is 16 months after her husband of 70 years, Fred Bruce Murphy (Paw) passed. Their marriage was a life-long partnership of bringing God's will and living presence to the lives of their congregations, communities and children of the many pastoral assignments they took in ministering to the rural communities of south Arkansas. The family lived in El Dorado, Arkansas, Pasadena, California, Huttig, Arkansas and Stephens, Arkansas before moving back to El Dorado for her last 50 years. In El Dorado, she was employed and served the school district for 43 years. She was known as a child as "June Bug", a name that stuck forever.

June Murphy at the age of 18 married the pastor of her church then supported her husband and children through his theological education in California and Texas. She had 5 children, Bruce (Teresa), Fred (Leanne), Tim (Rita), Todd and Tammy (Steve), who she raised after her husband started his full time ministry. One of her children was very special, Todd and she cared for him daily for 60 years as a permanent resident of their home. They had a unique bond.

Known as bossy she was quick to give biblical or personal advice to her family and friends. She specialized in events that would build memory in her children, grandchildren (12) and great grandchildren (16). Her script for these family events started with prayer, the pledge of allegiance to America and roll call followed by talent shows from all the families represented. She managed all with her short bull horn or cow bell. During the first 2 years of the pandemic the family had a weekly Sunday morning devotional on Zoom digital, with 12-15 locations and 35-45 people attending. Her order of service and family participation was published by her before every service and there was little doubt who was in charge.

She was a cook and a comforter to her family and made sure that everyone had all they could possibly hold before quitting the table. Her recipes for chicken and dumplings, banana pudding, corn bread dressing, and hot water corn bread were so esteemed by her family that videos of her making them without a written recipe were made. Everyone maintains there was an absent secret ingredient she left off because they aren't exactly the same.

Her devotion to the primary family of over 45 members was unparalleled. She kept up with everyone's business, birthday, anniversary, graduation, or special event and politely attended or encouraged. Every family member got a phone call around 7 am on their birthday with a trio chorus of Maw, Paw and Todd singing Happy Birthday to them. It was very special. After her children left home for careers, she lived with Paw and Todd for many years. Their care was her specialty. She met Paw at Ebenezer Baptist Church in El Dorado to marry and move away, but after attending many churches and congregations they returned to Ebenezer to finish His work. Life came full circle back to its starting place and she will be greatly missed.

There will be an open service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, February 6 at 10:00 am for visitation, open service at 11:00 am and a family only graveside burial to follow.

Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1942 N. Wyatt Dr., El Dorado, AR 71730

Contributed on 4/14/23 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1481595

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