Derl Murphy

Derl Gray Murphy of Dothan passed away Sunday afternoon February 17, 2013 at his home after a long illness. He was 81.

Funeral services will be held 11am Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Van Clack officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Robert Byrd directing.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 6pm until 8pm.  In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Heritage Baptist Church, 1951 Westgate Parkway, Dothan, AL 36303 or Southern Care Hospice, 2576 Montgomery Highway Suite 2, Dothan, AL 36303.

Mr. Murphy was born in Dothan on April 30, 1931 and a graduate of Wicksburg High School and married Frances Hammack on January 27, 1952. He joined the United States Navy in 1950 and spent 13 months in the Marshall Islands; the next 2 ½ years were spent in Oakland, CA. They moved back to Dothan in 1954 and owned and operated Murphy Grist Mill for 45 years and Mid City Outlet for 9 years before retiring. His favorite sport was baseball which he enjoyed pitching for high school, the navy and the church ball teams. He was an active member of Heritage Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School for 45 years. His main purpose in life was to see people come to know the Lord.

Mr. Murphy is preceded in death by his mother and father, Wyatt and Erie Murphy, his sister Arlene Hodges, and his brother Hayes Murphy.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances Hammack Murphy; his daughter, Debbie Art Smith; his son, Mickey Vickie Murphy all of Dothan; grandchildren, Kevin Smith of Dothan, Kelli Rice of Opelika, Kasey Murphy of Indianapolis, IN and Shea Murphy of Dothan; four great-grandchildren and two nephews.

Serving as active pallbearers will Kevin Smith, Brandon Rice, Rick Murphy, Randy Smith, Eddie Barnes and Gene Brady. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Murphy’s Sunday School class.

We want to express special thanks to Dr. Doty and Southern Care Hospice and their wonderful staff for all they have done.