Katherine Murphy Crisp, 79, of the Birdtown Community went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Elnora and Luther Murphy and wife of the late Theron Crisp. She was a founding member of Bethabara Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. She helped in the founding and worked for the Head Start Program for 35 years where she started several day cares and taught many children throughout those years.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Margie Howard.
She is survived by her children, Charlene Stiles of Cherokee, Theron Luther Crisp (June Bug) and wife Elvis Huskey Crisp of Asheville, Gail DeHart and husband Eddie DeHart of Cherokee, Joseph Bird of Cherokee; son-in-law, Floyd Howard; grandchildren, April Maney, Wesley Parker, Toby Bird, Duane Parker, Concheta Walls, Ceegee Bird, Ryan DeHart, Sandi Franks, Jesse Franks, and Travis DeHart; special great grandson, Mogly Bird; great grandchildren, Amber, Brianna, Christian, Darian, Esiah, Nakiyah, Eli and Owen Bird, Chloe Linder, Lawson McKelvin, Faith, Keara, and Sevan Cline, Angel, Alonso, Titan, Amarrah, Kyson, and Kailna Franks; Jordan, Devon, Theron and Averee Parker; great great granddaughter, Hazel Dawn Woodard; one sister, Roberta Waldroup; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was like a mother to and loved by them all.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Saturday at Bethabara Baptist Church. Revs. Logan Parton and Tommy Anderson will officiate with burial in the Birdtown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5-11pm Friday at the church.
Pallbearers will be Ryan DeHart, Mo-Mo Bird, Joey Bird, Jesse Franks, June Bug Crisp, Devon Parker, Duane Parker and Floyd Howard.