Obituary of Rev. Leron Adrian Murphy

Funeral services for Reverend Leron Adrian Murphy, age 91, of Newell will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 2:00 PM CST from Jordan Chapel Congregational Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Dempsey and Rev. Brian Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with full military honors and Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:30-8:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2015. Rev. Murphy will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to services beginning on Sunday. Rev. Murphy, a kind and loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2015, at his residence. Survivors include: one daughter, Carol Floyd (husband, James) of Woodland; three sons, Steve Murphy (wife, Patti) of Tyus, Ga, Jerry Murphy of Newell and Mark Murphy (wife, Margie) of Newell; five grandchildren, Benny Floyd, Jennifer Daniel (husband, Randy), Jana Kidd (husband, Chris), Matt Murphy (wife, Wendy), and Mitch Murphy (wife, Morgan); 10 great-grandchildren, Nicole Wiggins (husband, Paul), Chelsey Johnson, Rileigh Daniel, Jenna Daniel, Haleigh Sheets, Brandon Sheets, C.J. Kidd, Hunter Kidd, Ashleigh Murphy, and Amber Murphy; three great-great-grandchildren, Gage Wiggins, Eli Wiggins, and Braden Johnson; two sisters, Carolyn McWhorter (husband, Pete) of Marietta, GA, and Ann Bagley (husband, Don) of Anniston; and two brothers, Franklin Murphy (wife, Marie) of Newell and Bryant Murphy (wife, Jennifer) of Eastaboga. Pallbearers will be Randy Daniel, Brandon Sheets, Matt Murphy, Mitch Murphy, Bennie Floyd, and Phillip Murphy. Phil Chasse` will be an honorary pallbearer. A Randolph County native, Rev. Murphy was born on November 30, 1923, the son of Joe Lee and Lilar Cosper Murphy. He served our country in the U.S. Army in the Old Hickory 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, Company B. He fought in the Aleutian Islands Campaign, Rhineland Campaign, and Battle of the Bulge Campaign of World War II. Honorably, he earned 2 Bronze Star Medals, the WWII Victory Medal, American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. Rev. Murphy answered his call to preach in 1964 and pastored several local churches including Flat Rock Congregational Methodist Church, Fairview Congregational Methodist Church, Union Hill Congregational Methodist Church, Cane Creek Congregational Methodist Church, Veal Congregational Methodist Church, and Jordan Chapel Congregational Methodist Church. He pastored churches and preached revivals for 43 years. He helped procure funds needed and led the building committee for Jordan Chapel Church. After retiring from 17 years at Bynum Ordinance Depot as a mechanic, he raised cattle and was an avid farmer. Leron always took great joy in growing his garden and generously giving fruits and vegetables which he had grown. Rev. Murphy was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Nadine Allen Murphy; second wife, Janett Sears Murphy; brothers, Theron Murphy, Julian Murphy, Billy Joe Murphy, and Robert Murphy; sister, Clorea Allen; and grandson, Kenny Floyd. Memorials may be floral or donations may be made to Jordan Chapel Congregational Methodist Church.