Robert C. Murphy

Since death is the birthday of eternity and the body is the soul of the spirit, we who loved Mr. Robert Cleveland (Simmons) Murphy and were bound by treasured ties of affection, send forth this last tribute with our legacy of love and sorrow, recognizing his death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, but joyfully reflecting his life as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Mr. Robert Cleveland (Simmons) Murphy was born on June 7, 1946, in Jacksonville, N.C. He was a graduate of Southside High School Class of 1964. Upon completion of high school, he entered the United States Air Force in 1964. After serving for 5 and one-half years, Robert was honorably discharged in 1968. He served his country with pride and dignity. Robert then enrolled into John Tyler Community College and completed a 2-year Associate degree.

Robert was a member of Royal Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va. His community affiliations included an active member of Char-Les-Manze Inc., where he currently held the position of vice president, a former member of the Central Virginia Coalition of Civic Clubs, and a former member of I.B.P.O.E of W (Petersburg). Robert was a car lover and a former member of the Corvette Custom Club of Virginia. He also was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the antique car shows and the Virginia Motor Sports Park.

Robert retired from Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company after 19 and one-half years of service and in 2004 from Food Lion Corporation as a truck driver.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Rosa Simmons; brother, Joseph (Pee-Wee) Simmons and grandmother, Vinnie Jenkins.

Robert was the beloved husband and friend of Izon Revish Murphy; other survivors include, a devoted and loving daughter, Carisa Hardy (Owen) of Chesapeake, Va.; two grandsons, Owen Jr. and Landon Hardy, who he loved deeply; uncle, Oliver Jackson of Kinston, N.C.; three aunts, Martha Jackson and Essie Herring, both of Kinston, N.C., and Bishop Gladys Jackson of Rose Hill, N.C.; three brothers-in-law, Ronald Revish and Virgil Revish (Katey), both of Colonial Heights, Va., and Willie Revish Jr. of Tennessee; two sisters-in-law, Ozenetta Bowman of Richmond, Va., and Stacey Gold (Jeffrey) of Odenton, Md.; two devoted friends, William Mason of Fairfax, Va., and Tony Massenburg of Macon, Ga.; a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at Royal Baptist Church, 316 St. Mark St., Petersburg, VA; the Rev. Dr. Phillip Williams, pastor, officiating. Interment to follow at Southlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends at 602 S. Park Drive, Petersburg, and may be contacted by calling (804) 733-1911. Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. (Simmons) Murphy online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, VA, 804-732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.