ALBA, TEXAS – A Memorial service for Kenneth Anderson Murphy, 89, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Alba First Baptist Church, Alba, Texas, with Pastor Kelly Burton officiating. The Graveside service will be at the Floral Memory Gardens, 120 Old Pretoria Rd, Albany, Georgia, on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. Mr. Murphy better known as Papa Ken passed away peaceably Saturday, September 1, 2018, in his home in Quitman, Texas.
Kenneth was born on April 3, 1929 in Bethesda, Ohio, to Oscar Elsworth and Olive Iola Bell Murphy. His family moved to Orlando, Florida, when Kenneth was a child. He accepted Christ as his Savior as a young 8-year-old and became a member of College Park Baptist Church of Winter Park, Florida. During his Highschool years he worked at a local skating rink until graduating in 1947. Ken joined the National Guard for 4 years followed by 16 years in the Army Reserves and retired as a Specialist 7th class after 20 years of military service to his country, which he loved. He also retired from Sears where he worked as a front-end specialist in the Automotive Center in Orlando.
He and his first wife, Annie Laurie, lived in Leesburg, Florida until her death in 1994. Kenneth met Alaouida Jones, whom recently lost her husband, and they were married on April 2,1995. Now, with a new extended family, Kenneth became “Papa Ken”. The newly married couple moved to Albany, Georgia, and settled in to be active in their new church home, Byne Memorial Baptist Church, just blocks from their home. After a decade of faithful service both were failing in health, so they moved to Quitman, Texas, to live out their remaining years with their son in law and daughter Ken & Kay McCall. Soon after arriving they did as to their custom, they became members of Alba First Baptist Church. As long as their health allowed, they were active in the Fellowship Bible class and the Senior Adult Ministry led by their son-in law.
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Papa Ken is survived by his wife, Alaouida Jones Murphy, her daughter Kay J (Ken) McCall of Quitman, her son Michael L Jones of Albany, his son, Oscar Murphy of Japan, and his daughter Nancy Farmer who resides in Florida. Together they have 6 Grandchildren & 4 Great Grandchilfren, several Nephews and Nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Oscar Elsworth and Olive Iola Bell Murphy, His brothers Robert and Richard Murphy, his first wife Annie Laurie, his Stepdaughter-in-law, Helen Jones, his Grandson Brandon Farmer, and Great Granddaughter, Kaylee McCall.
Visitation with the family will be at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Home, Albany, Georgia on Friday, September 7th between 6 & 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to First Baptist Church Alba Building Fund or Byne Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund in Albany, Georgia.
Wilson-Bartley Funeral Home
300 W. Holley Street, P.O. Box 380
Alba, Texas 75410
903-765-2311
Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Home
1503 Dawson Road
Albany, Georgia 31707
229-883-4152
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