Vera Mabel Murphy

Vera Mabel Murphy, 99, died Saturday, January 19, 2013 in Canadian. Services will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Miami with Rev. Dennis Williams, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.Vera Mabel Murphy comes from a long lineage of Texans. Her family moved to Texas about 1844, prior to Texas becoming a state. She was born to Troy and Della Downing of Hunt County in 1913, but later moved to Winters, TX. She attended school in a 2 room schoolhouse, called Bluff Creek, until it burned. She then completed school in Drasco, where she graduated the 11th grade, as the Valedictorian of her class. Vera married Arthur K. Murphy in February 2, 1935 he preceded her in death in 1971. She has lived in Miami since 1953 moving to Canadian in 2007 to spend her remaining years at Edward Abraham Memorial Home. She was one of the original members of the Senior Citizen Club, organized in 1970, president of the North Plains Club in 1982. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter; most of her projects were given away to family and friends. As Vera sat in her wheelchair at the Abraham Home, with her arms crossed and just observing her surroundings, one can?t help but notice the intensity of those Irish blue eyes. Just like the song says, ?When Irish eyes are smiling; they will steal your heart away.? Vera?s eyes were also smiling. Although her hair was fading, on can still see that the Irish red is still there, she is a true Irish lass. She was preceded in death by a daughter; Helen Murphy and 3 sons: James Murphy, Travis Murphy, and Arlie Murphy; 1 great grandson: Jason Porter in 2001. Survivors include 1 son: G.D. Murphy and wife Kathy of Pampa; 2 daughters: Dorothy Guinn and husband Jerry of Pampa and Marilyn Martin and husband Jim of Rapid City, SD; 8 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren.Memorials may be made to: Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th, Canadian, Texas 79014.