Virgil Xenephon Murphey

Virgil Xenephon Murphey, age 90, resident of Somerville, went home to be with his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. He was 90 years of age, passing away after an illness of several months.

A Service to Honor the Lord's work of grace through Mr. Murphey will be conducted at 2 P.M. Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with visitation one hour before services. Pastor Pete Darnell, longtime friend of Mr. Murphey, will officiate the ceremony. Interment will follow at the Hood Cemetery in the Warren Community. Arrangements will be provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Murphey was born in Fayette County on April 27, 1923, the youngest of five children born to Wiley and Gladys Cole Murphey. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army in Borneo and the Philippines, and honorably discharged in 1946. He went on to attend Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina for two and a half years, later graduating from Mid-South Bible Institute in Memphis. On July 7, 1955, Mr. Murphey was ordained to the gospel ministry at Open Door Bible Church.

While attending Mid-South Bible Institute, he met his future wife, Betty Jane Stewart. They were married and spent 60 wonderful years together, being blessed with the gift of two beloved children, Holly and Timothy, and serving faithfully together in the Lord's ministry.

In later years, Mr. Murphey enjoyed a long relationship working in the grocery business with Carlton Morris and Gary Markle. Before his death, he could be seen weekly working at Fred's Discount Store where he served many friends, relatives and neighbors. He genuinely loved people and could often be heard greeting cheerfully those with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Murphey is survived by his wife, Betty S. Murphey; his daughter, Holly Staton of Springfield, TN; his son, Timothy Murphey of Ashland City, TN; two grandchildren, Stephanie Smalley, Daniel Staton; and great granddaughter, Claire Smalley - plus a soon to be arriving new great granddaughter to Stephanie and Adam Smalley.

Mr. Murphey was recently preceded in death by his eldest sister, Mrs. Eldona Gay. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Inez Alexander and two brothers, Elmo Murphey and Cole Murphey.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers will be Daniel Staton, Billy Reeves, John Alexander, Gary Markle, Bill Rodgers, Mike Bullock and Adam Smalley.

Honorary casketbearers will be William Reeves and Ernest Doyle.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Fayette County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, c/o Linda Taylor, 16845 Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.