John Daniel Murphy, 63, of Cherokee, passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.
John is the son of the late Lawrence Alvin Murphy and Mary Elizabeth (Roberts) Murphy and was a carpenter by trade. However, his family made note that he was an arts craftsman who made his way by his own hands.
John is survived by “his honey” Evelyn Thompson; children, Melinda Earlene Murphy and Lawrence Daniel Murphy; step-children, Kasey Leary, Leslie Leary and Davie Leary; brothers, Carl, Archie, Tom, Clawrence and Doug Murphy; sisters, Wanda Rogers, Beverly Smith and Trish Hornbuckle; aunts, Gladys Pennick and Betty Birchfield; uncles, Huey and Paul Roberts; grandchildren, Duke Price, Anissa Price, Samantha Price, Megan Brooke Howell, Dillan Murphy, Cody Leary, Jordan Huskey, Savannah Huskey, Dana Leary, James Leary, Wesson Baines, Layne Baines and Haven Leary; great-grandchildren Kryssa Danielle Elles and Marlie Grace Price. John is also survived by many friends, said the family, especially, Earl Lambert, Alvin, Travis “Pinky”, Denny, Jeremy and Gina.
John is a widower and is preceded in death by wife Linda Earlene Burris; one son, Alvin Dwight Murphy; sister, Ruby Lucille Murphy; and friend, Franky.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Bethabara Baptist Church starting at 5pm with John remaining till the hour of service on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 2pm. The Rev. Marty Pressley of the Church of God Bryson City will officiate. An immediate burial will follow in the Murphy Family Cemetery with the pall bearers being Christopher Murphy, Josh Queen, Dillan Murphy, John Swimmer and Ryan Laws.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family in the final arrangements.