Grady Murphy

Mr. Grady Murphy

Funeral Services honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Grady Murphy, a well-known and beloved retired educator will be held on Saturday, October 23. 2021, at10:00 a.m. The First Missionary Baptist Church, 615 Sparrow Street in Lake Providence, Louisiana. Rev. Victor Mitchell will be the officiant of the services. The interment will follow the services in H. V. Adams Cemetery.  Visitation for Mr. Murphy will be on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Loche's Mortuary. Inc.  To send flowers, plants, words of condolences, light a candle, please go to www.lochesmortuaryinc.com

Due to dangers associated with Covid 19 and the deadly Delta variant, MASKS ARE REQUIRED at both the funeral service and the visitation. Visitors are asked to limit their time at the visitation to a few minutes so that others may pay their respects. Social Distancing is encouraged. Out of respect for the family, visitors are asked to follow the directions of the ushers in charge.

"Mr. Magnolia"

GRADY MURPHY was born the son of farmers, Alice Irvin Murphy and Milton Murphy, on November 5, 1925, in Huttig, Arkansas. He would become the sixth of eight siblings. The family soon moved to Bastrop, Louisiana. As a child, he attended and was baptized at New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Bastrop, Louisiana.

 From 1956-1970, he served as principal at Magnolia High School where he was so popular and respected by the students that he earned the nickname “Mr. Magnolia.” This stuck with him throughout his life, and up to his death, he served as advisor to the Magnolia School Reunion Committee.

From 1970-1978, Grady was employed with the West Carroll Media Center as Supervisor of Mathematics. He returned from the West Carroll School System in 1979, but being concerned about the youth of his community, he returned to work briefly in 1989 as one of the first teachers for the East Carroll Alternative School Program. Later, in 1997, he served as an instructor in a college consortium

Mr. Murphy was always interested and involved in politics  on every level. In 1974, the citizens of Lake Providence elected him one of five all-black aldermen, along with a black mayor, and a black city marshal, the first Black people elected to these positions since Reconstruction. The story of their election made the pages of Jet Magazine (June 27, 1974; Vol. XLVI, No. 14; p. 10).

Upon moving to Lake Providence, Grady became a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church. There he served as organist, particularly for the Sunday school, as a Sunday school teacher, and as a deacon. He often recited the 23rd Psalm, commenting in-between the verses. Grady was constantly concerned about the welfare and effective ministry of his church, First Missionary Baptist Church of Lake Providence, Louisiana. He also was active with the East Carroll Parish Baptist Association. He knew the Shepherd and was “looking forward to singing with the angels,” after bearing his cross down here. Grady Murphy left this earthly tent for his heavenly home on Friday, October 8, 2021, at approximately 2:55 p.m. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Alice Irvin Murphy; and by six of his siblings: Eliza Murphy Jimerson (Herman); Asilee Murphy Smith (Elisha); Freddie Murphy; Haƫtie Mae Murphy; his only brother, Victor Murphy (Shelby); and Henrietta Murphy Spragin (Ore Lee, Sr.). Left to cherish his memories are one sister, Valena Vernestine Murphy Ray of Mission Hills, California (James - deceased); special friends, Consewilla Reed and Pam Henderson; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many grateful co-workers, students, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grady Murphy, please visit our floral store.