Obituary of Marjorie-Ethel Murphy

Marjorie Murphy departed this life on January 18, 2008. Born in the farming community of O'Neal, Nebraska, Marjorie was the oldest of six daughters born to Raymond Siders and Ethel Taylor Siders. Marjorie received her teaching certificate and taught school in a one room school house on the Nebraska plains. Being an advocate for education caused Marjorie to become a volunteer for the Rainbow Network. This time with the Rainbow Network resulted in 300 school bags for under privileged children. Marjorie was a lifetime lover of education and reading. She spent her life engrossed in books ranging from the Readers' Digest collection to the latest James Patterson novel. In 1934, Marjorie married Charles Edwin Russell. This union produced three daughters, 10 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren ranging in ages from 31 to three, and 10 great-great grandchildren. After an accident took his arm, Charlie and Marjorie were forced to give up farming. This change of direction soon lead to a change of scenery as the family moved to Kansas. After several years in Kansas, and with retirement approaching, Charlie and Marjorie decided to leave their civil service work and retire in Bolivar, Missouri, In 1983, Marjorie moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she lived the remainder of her life. Later in life, Marjorie married John Murphy. Marjorie and John spent 14 years together before he passed away in 2003. Marjorie was a woman full of grace, dignity, and beauty. She was able to take those qualities with her when she took her last breath at 6:11 a.m. on January 18, 2008, on the fourth floor of Cox South. Those who preceded her in death were her parents Raymond and Ethel Siders; her husband John Murphy; her sisters, Hazel Hibbs, Ruth Snyder and Audrey Benash; her brothers-in-law, Bill Hibbs, Gerald Snyder and Clarence Juracek; and one infant great-granddaughter. Those who remain to mourn her passing are her three loving daughters, Jacqueline Anne Sukup of Treynor, Iowa, Carolyn Sharlene Spradlin and husband, John, of Billings, Missouri, and Debra Ellen Yount and husband, Michael of Potosi, Missouri; two step-children, Michael Murphy of Humansville, Missouri, and Patsy Allen of Silvers, Illinois; 10 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren. There are numerous other family members, friends and companions who will miss Marjorie dearly. Marjorie's long life was full of both blessings and difficulties. She lived through many changing eras, and she was granted the unique opportunity to witness 90 years of history. In her life, Marjorie left an enduring mark on everyone who met, knew, and loved her. To know Marjorie was to never forget her, and Marjorie will never be forgotten. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, this afternoon, with a funeral service Monday at 1 p.m.