Sam Walker Murphy, a native of Jasper, Alabama, passed away Friday, October 23, 2026. He was born on May 16, 1947.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah Catherine Walker Murphy and Sam Ross Murphy; and his nephew, Lawson Woodfin Murphy Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Aycock Murphy; his two children, Elizabeth Woodfin Murphy Collins (Christopher) and Sam Aycock Murphy; his brother, Lawson Woodfin Murphy (Linda); his sister, Catherine Wood Murphy Payne (Louis); and his two grandchildren, Mary Frances Beaman Collins and Kathleen Woodfin Collins. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews: Mary Wood Payne Beasley (David), Marion Walker Payne (Denise), Catherine Payne Haynes (Bruce), Mary Beth Murphy Loomis (Brandon), John Hinton Murphy (Abby), William Aycock Holden(Sabrina), Scott Courtney Holden, and Stuart Rawlinson Holden(June).
Sam Walker graduated from Marion Military Institute and the University of Alabama, where he was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served at Fort Bragg, NC, before moving to Washington, D.C., where he worked and married Jane Aycock in 1972. He later returned to Jasper to work at Murphy Furniture alongside his father and brother, Lawson.
Sam Walker was an active and dedicated member of his community, serving as president of the Rotary Club, the board of Pinnacle Bank, and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also actively involved with the ARC, the Alabama Forestry Association, and the Jasper Humane Society. In recognition of his dedication to service, he was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, a prestigious distinction presented by the Boy Scouts of America. He was also very involved and loved both First Christian Church and Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church.
One of his joys in life was his daily trip to the Coffee table at Ladybugs’ where they discussed “current events”.
Sam Walker had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and found great joy in nature, particularly through quail hunting and tending to his garden.
Throughout his life, he was a devoted and steadfast husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He embodied the spirit of a lifelong learner, driven by an insatiable curiosity and an endless pursuit of knowledge. He is now in the presence of the God he loved so well. A special thanks to Cynthia Sims and Lisa Thomas for their Love and Care..
A service celebrating Sam Walker’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29th, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with a graveside to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to
Walker Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 171, Jasper, AL 35502
Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church
801 The Trace West , Jasper, AL 35504
Boy Scouts of America-Black Warrior Council
Leroy McAbee Scout Service Center
P.O. Drawer 3088
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
