“She manages well the affairs of her household and is diligent to meet every need they may have,” Proverbs (31:27)

Patricia Lothaire Durrence Murphy (94) of Savannah, Ga. passed softly and sweetly unto the presence of God on Valentine’s Day, 2021.  She was truly a Sweetheart to all who knew her. She had been living with her son’s family since 2019.

Patricia was born on December 12, 1926 in a small wooden house (complete with an outhouse), that was built in the middle of a cotton field about 5 miles outside of Glenville Ga. The mid-wife who assisted in her birth was Ida McClain. Patricia’s father, Mr. Benjamin Durrence, was a tenet farmer, and her mother, Mrs. Levy Durrence, was a housewife and the mother of 10 children. The little house in the cotton field had no phones, no plumbing, no electricity, hence, no central air, no window fans, no central heat, and no lights! And there were no modern appliances, but there was plenty of love that she experienced from her mother and father and siblings. Most of the time everyone when to sleep when the sun when down. (Patricia did sneak a book or two into her bed, reading by the light of a candle or a kerosene lamp).

Patricia was the youngest of her siblings, and the apple of her daddy’s eye Sometimes, her dad would let her ride in the back of an old wagon when he went to Glenville to buy supplies. During such times, she would lie upon a quilt in the back of the wagon, watching the clouds roll by and listening to her daddy talk about family, friends and the neighbors, as the old horse slowly made the 5 mile, bumpy trek to Glenville. Those were special times for Patricia. Even when she reached her teens, her Father still called her “baby.” Yet, she was never spoiled and she was expected to do her chores, just like everybody else in the family. That way everybody got alone just fine.

Her mother and dad taught her the importance of respecting her elders, going to school, and having faith in God. She attended Harmony United Methodist Church and was raised up in the conservative Methodist faith. She loved to read the Bible, and had a fondness for learning. As a very young girl, a local Methodist preacher, Mr. Loy Scott witnessed to her and led her to faith in Christ. Patricia always said that was the best day of her life, and would have a lasting positive impact on her life, and the lives of her family.

Her first job was at Central Pharmacy in Glenville Ga., where she worked for Mr. Jo Boy Hughes, where she did everything from cleaning the store, to dispensing candy and soda drinks. Patricia went to school during the day, and worked at Central Pharmacy in the afternoons. She was forever grateful for her first “real” job at Central Pharmacy. She graduated from Glenville High School in 1945. Two years later she moved to Savannah, with her older sister, Kate Mattox. When she first moved to Savannah she lived in the YWCA, which was located on Oglethorpe and Whitaker Streets. She worked at Kress’ department store and Hogan’s department store and Morrison’s Cafeteria. She attended business school in Savannah, and then began working for the Citizens and Southern Bank, where she worked for 32 years.

During her stay at the YWCA she was introduced to the love of her life, Harry Beecher Murphy (Collins, Ga.). Rooted in God’s love, which they often expressed for one another, they enjoyed 54 wonderful years together, and had two children, Harriet Stephanie Murphy, and Harry B. Murphy Jr.  Patricia was predeceased by her husband Harry Murphy Sr., her 6 sisters and 2 brothers, and her only daughter, Stephanie Harriet Murphy. Patricia is survived by her son Harry Butch Murphy Jr. (Sammie Lou), Close friends Jean and Brian Wilton, and Allan and Jordan Paderewski, nieces Ms. Bobby Baker and Ms. Margie Kate Dasher (Eddie) of Glenville, Ga., Eddie and Gail Connaster. Bernadette Livingston, York, Pa.                                                    She is also survived by two grandchildren, Leonard O. Harmon Murphy, and John Liam Murphy, granddaughter Jesse Hackett (Michael) and nieces, Susan Murphy Hohnerlein (Dennis) and Linda Murphy Sims (Stephen), and numerous nieces                            and   grandchildren and loved ones. 

Patricia lived by faith: Faithfulness to God; faithfulness to her family and faithfulness to her friends and country. She truly experienced a fulfilling and wonderful life based on her faith in Christ.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Delnostro and Dr. Robert Weeks for their dedication and service to their mother. Likewise, the family would also like to thank the staff of Hospice House of Savannah and Buckingham at Home for their compassionate care during this time. We are also grateful to her pastors, (Mr. Kelly McInerney and Mr. Tommy East), and friends at Bible Baptist Church. And a special thanks and appreciation to Janice Davis for her unreserved care and compassion to Ms. Murphy. Thank You.

Visitation: Thursday, February 18, 2021, 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel.

Funeral Service: Thursday, February 18, 2021, 10:30 a.m. in the chapel, Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Memorial Drive.

Masks and social distancing are required. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Harmony United Methodist Church Cemetery, Glenville Georgia.