Wilma Christine Brown Murphy

Mrs. Wilma Christine Brown Murphy, age 85 of Tompkinsville, passed away peacefully with her daughter and granddaughter by her side on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Signature Healthcare of Monroe, after months of failing health issues. The children and grandchildren had all been to visit her in her final days, when the last remaining grandchild came, she was at peace and ready to go home. Never doubt her love for each of you, she loved, worried, and prayed for each of you all until the end. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother and no one will ever love you the way she did.

She was born on July 18, 1935, a daughter of the late George D. Brown and Pearl Woods Brown. She was united in marriage to Paula D. Murphy on December 25, 1954, Paula preceded her in death on January 21, 1995. Wilma was a graduate of Gamaliel High School Class of 1952. She was a member of The First Baptist Church. She retired after 38 years of being a Dental Assistant, having worked for Dr. J.M. Downing, Dr. J. R. Comer, and Dr. Greg Crabtree.

It has to be said that she loved to see the hummingbirds come to the porch. She would have many, too many and then she wanted them to not be fighting, and stingy with their feeding so she would "shoo" them to make them go.

First and foremost, anyone who met Wilma knew she was a bright and shining light. She loved her family, and everyone she knew was her family. She and Paula raised four children, Eddie, Pam, Barry, and Cheryl. She stayed close to home and lived on the family farm. Her greatest joy was cooking for her family and friends. She worked as a dental assistant for many years, having two dentists retire, and helping Dr. Crabtree to become the dentist he is today. People would see her out and thank her for holding their hands and making them feel comfortable. She also worked at Deckard’s Florist and loved every minute of it. She enjoyed flowers, making arrangements, and growing them in her flower beds at home. Wilma also worked for Taylor Polson & Company, alongside Ann Beth Moore until they both retired.

She is survived by three sons; Eddie Paul Murphy and wife Patsye, Barry Neal Murphy and wife Stacy, Dwaine Barnett and wife Vickie, two daughters; Pamela Copass, and Cheryl Graham and husband Anthony, all of Tompkinsville, nine grandchildren; Rebecca Copass Miller, Lindsay Murphy Wood, Kari Jill Haan, Jennifer Murphy Guffey, Mara McKenzie Carver, William Coly Graham, Craig Paul Graham, Ryan Neal Murphy, Morgan Barnett Smith, twelve great-grandchildren; Travis and Hadley Wood, Collin, Reese, and Quinn Miller, Harper Haan, Hunter Guthrie, Maddox Guffey, Cadance Carver, Will and Alex Smith, and Drew Davidson, one nephew Greg Brown also survives.

In addition to her parents, and husband she was preceded in death by a brother; Gordon Brown, a sister-in-law, Mary Brown, a son in law; Leo Copass, and a granddaughter Megan Davidson.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June, 21 with interment to follow at Athens Ebenezer Cemetery.

There will be no public visitation at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be; Coly Graham, Craig Graham, Ryan Murphy, Travis Wood, Clifton Long, and David Murphy.

Honorary Pallbearers; Greg Crabtree, June Geralds, Rita Crabtree, Andrea McAlpin, Ann Beth Moore, Mildred Isenberg, Eddie Rose Bartley, Chad Comer, James Comer, Mitchell Page, Cameron Murphy, Harold and Harvey Reagan

Alternate expressions of sympathy may be made to Athens Ebenezer Cemetery, or to Tompkinsville First Baptist Church Youth Center Fund in memory of Mrs. Wilma.

Bartley & Sons Funeral Home is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Wilma Murphy.