A private family graveside service for Dorothy Gilmer Murphy (92) will be held Tuesday,December 1, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Franklin Memory Gardens with Reverend Bo Lloyd officiating. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the family is requesting that relatives and friends pause during this time to memorialize Mrs. Murphy in thanksgiving and praise for her life here on earth.
Mrs. Murphy died peacefully Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Athens Limestone Hospital with her children and their spouses by her side. She was participating in rehabilitation from an illness at Limestone Senior Care and Rehabilitation in hopes to return to her home at Morningside Assisted Living in Cullman, Alabama where she had been living the past 2 years. Mrs. Murphy was preceded in death by her husband, L.A.Murphy; her parents Lynn and Ollie Gilmer, her brother Willis Gilmer and her sister Adine Gilmer Lee, as well as countless other family members and friends.
Mrs. Murphy was born in Lamar County, Alabama on December 19, 1927. She graduated from high school in Sulligent, Alabama and attended Auburn University where she received a degree in Home Economics. After her marriage to L.A.Murphy, she returned to North Alabama and began a long time teaching career where she touched the lives of hundreds of students, teachers, and families. She will forever be remembered for her kindness to her students and love of her profession.
A longtime resident of Russellville, Alabama , Mrs. Murphy devoted her life to raising her three children, while balancing a career teaching Home Economics at Russellville High School and participating in countless clubs and civic organizations. She was selected as the Alabama Home Economics Teacher of the Year and served in many leadership positions for the Alabama Future Homemakers of America. She was also a member of Cultura Garden Club, Book Lover’s Club, Friday Bridge Club and Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Honorary.
Mrs. Murphy was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend to everyone she met and her
strong Christian values were evident by the life that she lived. She was a longtime member of Russellville First United Methodist church where she faithfully served her Lord through her prayers, presence and gifts. She is survived by her children Malinda Windham (Greg), Tom Murphy (Kris), Alan Murphy (Kim), six grandchildren, Andrew Windham, Jason Windham, Beth Windham Collins, Andrew Murphy, William Murphy, Thomas Lynn Murphy, twelve great grandchildren and niece Gayle McAlister.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in memory of Mrs. Murphy. Donations
may be made to:
Dot Murphy Scholarship
℅ Russellville High School 1865 Waterloo Road
Russellville, AL
Att: Natalie Bendall
Checks should be made payable to Russellville Educational Foundation.
