Shirley Machen Murphy

May 20, 1935 - November 29, 2019

3 John 4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. Shirley M. Murphy, 84 years old, went to live with her Lord on November 29, 2019. Shirley was born in Elizabethton, TN, to Alton and Sevella Machen. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Alton Machen Jr. and Billy Jack Machen, and Best Friend and Sister, Mary (Carolyn) Bradley and grandson Andrew Herget. Shirley leaves to mourn her loving husband of 66 years, William Carroll Murphy Sr.; children, Dr. William (Bill) Murphy Jr. of West Hollywood, CA, Darrell Murphy (Janice) of Johnson City, TN, Angela Herget (Alfred) of Knoxville, TN, K.C. Murphy (Tammy) of Dallas, TX, Velma Murphy of Tallahassee, FL, and Leland Murphy (Michelle) of Knoxville, TN; seven grandchildren, Keila, Aaron, Preston, Yasmin, Madison, Machen, and Autumn Grace; two great- grandchildren, Myles and Malia; siblings Ann McConnell (Charles) and Jerry Machen (Linda) and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was a graduate of Langston High School where she was a member of the Glee Club and a vocalist in the Langston Orchestra. She was also a cheerleader and a member of the girls’ basketball team. She was an employee of the Johnson City police department for over 20 years serving as a school crossing guard at North Side Elementary School. Primarily a homemaker, she was a great cook and freely provided wholesome meals continuously for the sick and shut-in or wherever she saw a need. Shirley loved children. She not only taught them in Sunday school but rose early to prepare breakfast for those children to eat prior to sharing the gospel of the love of Jesus. Shirley’s love for children reached internationally she sponsored a child yearly for 30 years via Child Fund International. Shirley was the co-founder of the Gracie Norris Missionary Circle at Friendship Baptist Church. Shirley was also a founding member of the Bertha Ellis Chapter of the University of Tennessee Home Extension Club. She served on the Board of the Bertha Ellis Girls Club, was a member of Church Woman United, a member of Johnson City Monday Club, and participated in a weekly women's bible study for over 30 years. She was a charter member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Shirley was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Gray, TN. A public viewing will be held from 12:00pm until 2:00pm Thursday December 5, 2019 at the Birchette Mortuary Chapel. Interment will be held at 9:00am Friday December 6, 2019 at Snyder’s Memorial Gardens, 5913 Kingsport Hwy Gray TN., prior to the Celebration of Life. The family will receive friends at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 396 Oak Grove Rd, Gray, TN 37615 on Friday, December 6th at 1:00 PM with a celebration of life service to begin at 2:00 PM.