Thelma Lucille (Murphy) Burch
October 1, 1920 — December 10, 2013
Thelma Lucille Murphy Burch, resident of Memphis with survivors that include her daughter, Gwen Gunn of Oakland, departed this life Tuesday morning, December 10, 2013 at the National HealthCare Center in Somerville where she had been a patient for four weeks. She was 93 years of age and died following an extended illness.
Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Burch were conducted at 1 P.M. Saturday, December 14th at the Graveside. The officiating minister was Rev. Kent Bailey of Somerville and interment followed in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Hartselle, Alabama. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.
Mrs. Burch was born October 1, 1920 in Hartselle, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ellis Murphy and Eva Thompson Murphy. She received her education in the Falkville, Alabama School System and was married August 26, 1939 to James Aubrey Burch, Sr., who preceded her in death on May 23, 1972.
Mrs. Burch had been a resident of the Memphis area since 1952 and was a member of the Richland Baptist Church in Memphis. She was employed by the K-Mart Corporation in Memphis for a number of years where she enjoyed the friendships of many customers and employees. She was an outdoor person who found pleasure in working in her yard and will be remembered as a family-oriented person who cared for others.
Mrs. Burch is survived by two daughters, Gwen Gunn and husband Jerry Gunn of Oakland, Anita Ford and husband Dr. John C. Ford of Memphis; her son, John Ellis Burch and wife Sharon of Lovelle, Maine; numerous sisters-in-law; six grandchildren, Amanda McCurdy, Jeremy Burch and wife Sarah, Ian Burch, Dylan Burch, Brent Ford, David Ford; three great grandchildren, Owen McCurdy, Natalie McCurdy, Claire Burch; special family friends, Bess and Earl Norman; and a devoted caregiver, Lyndell Ballard.
Mrs. Burch was preceded in death by her son, James Aubrey Burch, Jr.; her sister, Alma Blackerby; and two brothers, Henry “Buck” Murphy and Ralph Murphy.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Dr. John C. Ford, Terry Murphy, Joe Murphy, Jeremy Burch, Brent Ford and David Ford.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, 250 Mount Zion Road, Hartselle, AL 35640 or the church, charity or organization of the donor’s choice.