Mrs. Amelia Elizabeth Murphey's Obituary
Amelia Elizabeth Gehring Murphey
Amelia Elizabeth Gehring Murphey, our Mom, “Aunt Melie”, Grandma and “Mimi”, was born on February 28, 1921 in Houston, Texas and died on September 10, 2015, in Dallas, Texas. Her husband, Elmer Murphey Jr. predeceased her in 1990. Her siblings: Raymond and Johnny Gehring, Mary Lea Langston, Annie Bass, and Dorothy Jean Morton as well as her nephew Hubert I. (Buddy) Langston also predeceased her.
Amelia is survived by her son Elmer III and his wife, Judy; her grandsons and their families: Matthew R. Murphey , wife Veronica, and daughter, Courtney; and Mark R. Murphey , wife Jenny, and their children Luke, Logan and Lauren.
She is also survived by her niece Judy Truax (Wayne), her nephews Ogden Bass (Nan), John Gehring (Lucy) and Larry Gehring (Alice) and their families. Amelia loved her family more than anything and was always interested in their activities, plans and life goals.
Amelia grew up in the Houston area community of Minnetex and graduated from San Jacinto High School. She married Elmer Murphey in 1943. During WWII Elmer and Amelia were stationed in the Tampa area where he served with the Merchant Marines. Along with many other wives of servicemen, Amelia worked in the cookie factory baking and packaging cookies for servicemen throughout the world.
After his service commitment ended, Elmer and Amelia returned to Houston. Amelia worked for the Houston Independent School District. She and Elmer were members of the Almeda United Methodist Church. After their retirement, Elmer and Amelia moved first to Pearland and then to Kingwood. In Kingwood they were active members of the Kingwood United Methodist Church and served with The Newcomers Club of Kingwood. Together Elmer and Amelia enjoyed their Masonic activities through Humble Lodge #979, Arabia Temple of the Shrine, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Amelia was a 50 year member of Pearland Chapter #1065 Order of the Eastern Star and was active in Tabeel Temple No. 88 Daughters of the Nile. She was also a member of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America, and the Social Order of the Beauciant. After Elmer’s death, Amelia moved to Dallas to be closer to her family. Amelia continued her Eastern Star activities in Dallas as a member of the John L. De Grazier Chapter #881.
A resident of Presbyterian Village North since 1993, Amelia was active on various committees concerned with the quality of life at PVN. She very much enjoyed PVN and the many friends she made, both resident and staff. The family would like to thank all those at PVN whose friendship and care made her life so warm and loving. Special thanks to Carnice Orgi, her “Sunshine”; to Lynea Umbenmower and Joe Spillman, her therapists, and to all the third floor staff especially Courtney Aaron, Margi Johnson and Joceylen Smith. Also the compassionate services of Faith Hospice are much appreciated. The family would like to thank her loyal friends from the various Masonic bodies, but especially Carol Rose, Jean Weiskopf and Delores Ferrera.
In accordance with her wishes, graveside services will be held at South Park Cemetery at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Amelia’s name to Kingwood United Methodist Church, 1799 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339 or to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75210.
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