Our Angel was Laid to Rest...
William Timothy James "Jimmy" Murphey
June 2, 1929 ~ April 7, 2018
On April 14th, our angel was laid to rest with military honors. The day's services were a beautiful testament to the life and legacy of Jimmy Murphey. A gathering of family and friends gave a wonderful tribute to Jimmy's life.
This post is an overview of the services we would like to share with you. For some videos and pictures of military honors given and procession lead by horse-drawn carriage, please read through to the bottom.
Jimmy was one that loved singing, loved hymns, loved worshipping God. The songs of his service spoke to his unwavering faith in his Creator and the adoration Jimmy had for God. Though you may be familiar with these songs, we hope you enjoy these selections as if it was your first time listening...
Prayers were said and a beautiful poem was shared by Goddaughter, Wilma King Means...
The Obituary in the program read as follows:
In the very early hours of Saturday, April 7, 2018, God spoke and a very strong willed and yet generous man answered God's call. Mr. William Timothy "Jimmy" Murphey transitioned one last time to his eternal home. He was born on June 2, 1929, in Concord, North Carolina.
He was predeceased by his two brothers: Ernest Murphey, James Ray Murphey, and James Pharr Sr. also considered a brother.
He began his education at Grace Lutheran Church School where he would later become a baptized and confirmed member. He transitioned from the Lutheran School to Logan and became part of the Logan Class of 1950. Following High School, "Jimmy" served in the United States Army and was discharged in 1953.
Upon returning from the military "Jimmy" attended Immanuel Lutheran College and then Barber-Scotia College. While attending Immanuel Lutheran College he met his future wife Ruby Grandison and to this union a daughter, Angel LaRose was born.
Jimmy with the encouragement of his pastor established a youth organization called "The Friendly Club". The Friendly Club included members of Grace Lutheran Church as well as the community. The Friendly Club sang in other churches, nursing homes, and homes during Christmas, Jimmy was a trailblazer for Black children the 1960s, enabling them to travel to Charlotte to attend the Fred Kirby, Bozo and Joey the Clown TV shows. Jimmy provided encouragement to young men at Samuel Leonard Training School in McCain, NC coordinating a Christmas program along with a meal.
Jimmy transitioned again to New Jersey where he became involved in the culinary arts. He regularly came home during the summer to re-engage the Friendly Club and celebrate his birthday. He returned permanently to Concord to help take care of his aging parents and was employed by Jackson Training School, Golden Corral, Ryan's Restaurant, Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department, K&W Cafeteria and Barber-Scotia College as a chef. he helped plan and cook for many weddings.
"Jimmy" demonstrated a concern for helping others and became well known for his annual free Christmas dinner and toy giveaway. Early on hi insisted on preparing all the food for the dinner. During the month of December his home became a toy warehouse. He received donations that enabled him to provide food and clothing to people throughout the community.
Though "Jimmy" insisted on preparing most of the food for the dinner he had hundreds of volunteers who helped provide and serve the food (according to his direction). Each year in June he hosted his annual birthday celebration and thank you meal.
Through the years there were many individuals and organizations who supported the "Murphey Christmas Dinner" most recently Cannon Pharmacy became the main sponsor and organizer of this community event, for which Jimmy was most thankful.
Jimmy leaves to cherish his precious memories: daughter, Angel LaRose Murphey; a grandson Ari Bernard William Akpabio (RaKeisha); a great grandson, Ari Ziere Akpabio; a sister, Mary Troy Murphey; nephews: Ira Tillman Murphey and Jamie Grier Murphey; nieces: Monique Murphey, Tanea Murphey, Kalysha Murphey, Raenea Murphey, Erica Murphey, Ira Murphey, Are Murphey, Lydia Murphey, Ebony Murphey; and those whom he considered his sisters and brothers: Vernie King, Elnora Barrier, Jesse and Jennie Pharr; very special family friends, neighbors, caregivers: Fred and Brenda Stitt; two goddaughters: Wilma King Means and Veronica Barrier Williams; godsons: Robert Barrier Jr. and Jamie Pharr; and his godchildren from Asbury Park, NJ: Denise Lyles Norman and Kenneth Lyles; along with a host cousins, other family member and friends.
This post is an overview of the services we would like to share with you. For some videos and pictures of military honors given and procession lead by horse-drawn carriage, please read through to the bottom.
Jimmy was one that loved singing, loved hymns, loved worshipping God. The songs of his service spoke to his unwavering faith in his Creator and the adoration Jimmy had for God. Though you may be familiar with these songs, we hope you enjoy these selections as if it was your first time listening...
Just as worship music was near to Jimmy's heart, so were the scriptures. Among those reading these scriptures were Reverend Tony Bradshaw, Reverend Jerrod Drye, and Jimmy's pastor, Reverend Donald E. Anthony of Grace Lutheran Church.
Many people spoke at his funeral. Among those to pay tribute were former Concord Mayor, Scott Padgett; friend and home builder, Andy Ragan; Jimmy Murphey's Christmas friend, Jenny Weems; Godson, Robert Barrier Jr.; Concord Deputy Chief of Police Chief, Betty Stocks; and others.
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He was predeceased by his two brothers: Ernest Murphey, James Ray Murphey, and James Pharr Sr. also considered a brother.
He began his education at Grace Lutheran Church School where he would later become a baptized and confirmed member. He transitioned from the Lutheran School to Logan and became part of the Logan Class of 1950. Following High School, "Jimmy" served in the United States Army and was discharged in 1953.
Upon returning from the military "Jimmy" attended Immanuel Lutheran College and then Barber-Scotia College. While attending Immanuel Lutheran College he met his future wife Ruby Grandison and to this union a daughter, Angel LaRose was born.
Jimmy with the encouragement of his pastor established a youth organization called "The Friendly Club". The Friendly Club included members of Grace Lutheran Church as well as the community. The Friendly Club sang in other churches, nursing homes, and homes during Christmas, Jimmy was a trailblazer for Black children the 1960s, enabling them to travel to Charlotte to attend the Fred Kirby, Bozo and Joey the Clown TV shows. Jimmy provided encouragement to young men at Samuel Leonard Training School in McCain, NC coordinating a Christmas program along with a meal.
Jimmy transitioned again to New Jersey where he became involved in the culinary arts. He regularly came home during the summer to re-engage the Friendly Club and celebrate his birthday. He returned permanently to Concord to help take care of his aging parents and was employed by Jackson Training School, Golden Corral, Ryan's Restaurant, Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department, K&W Cafeteria and Barber-Scotia College as a chef. he helped plan and cook for many weddings.
"Jimmy" demonstrated a concern for helping others and became well known for his annual free Christmas dinner and toy giveaway. Early on hi insisted on preparing all the food for the dinner. During the month of December his home became a toy warehouse. He received donations that enabled him to provide food and clothing to people throughout the community.
Though "Jimmy" insisted on preparing most of the food for the dinner he had hundreds of volunteers who helped provide and serve the food (according to his direction). Each year in June he hosted his annual birthday celebration and thank you meal.
Through the years there were many individuals and organizations who supported the "Murphey Christmas Dinner" most recently Cannon Pharmacy became the main sponsor and organizer of this community event, for which Jimmy was most thankful.
Jimmy leaves to cherish his precious memories: daughter, Angel LaRose Murphey; a grandson Ari Bernard William Akpabio (RaKeisha); a great grandson, Ari Ziere Akpabio; a sister, Mary Troy Murphey; nephews: Ira Tillman Murphey and Jamie Grier Murphey; nieces: Monique Murphey, Tanea Murphey, Kalysha Murphey, Raenea Murphey, Erica Murphey, Ira Murphey, Are Murphey, Lydia Murphey, Ebony Murphey; and those whom he considered his sisters and brothers: Vernie King, Elnora Barrier, Jesse and Jennie Pharr; very special family friends, neighbors, caregivers: Fred and Brenda Stitt; two goddaughters: Wilma King Means and Veronica Barrier Williams; godsons: Robert Barrier Jr. and Jamie Pharr; and his godchildren from Asbury Park, NJ: Denise Lyles Norman and Kenneth Lyles; along with a host cousins, other family member and friends.
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Immediately following the service at St. James Lutheran Church, Jimmy was taken, by horse-drawn carriage...
...and laid to rest with military honors in Rutherford Memorial Park, Concord, NC.
The Patriot Guard Riders were also present in honor of his military service.
Taps was played...
And shortly thereafter, he was laid to rest. Family and friends gathered at the St. James Lutheran Church afterward to share in food and fellowship.
Here are some mementos gathered at Jimmy's home for well-wishers to see...
And now his story continues on through each of us. His legacy, the legacy of a mother and her son, carries on with the determination and vigor that we carry it on. May Jimmy Murphey's Christmas, 2018, prove to be as great of a testament and tribute to his life as his services were on April 14th.
Please join those of us that share in his passion to help the less fortunate. Visit jmchristmas.org or email jimmymurpheyschristmas@gmail.com to get involved and/or donate. We need you!
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