Martha Murphy

Martha Ellis Murphy BATTERY PARK - Martha Elizabeth Ellis Murphy, 93, passed away Friday, Dec. 31, 2010. A native and lifelong resident of Isle of Wight and Surry County, Martha was born Jan. 6, 1917 to the late Benjamin and Rose Mae Warren Ellis. She is survived by her daughters, JoAnne M. Griffin of Smithfield, Va., and Betty M. Joyner and her husband L.D. Joyner Sr. of Battery Park. She was a member of Battery Park Baptist Church. She writes in her memoirs of moving with her family from Clairmont, Va., in 1923 to live in historic Bacon's Castle where she lived with her family for 18 years. She was married in the castle house on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1934 to the late Joe Hendricks Murphy Sr. A beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, Martha was devoted to her family and was a caregiver to many. Nearing the age of 40, Martha returned to the classroom and became a licensed practical nurse and cared for patients at Riverside Hospital where she retired in 1982 to nurse her husband who had terminal cancer. Martha had many hobbies and was always busy with her hands. She made many afghans and quilts for family members and friends. She was a talented seamstress and used these talents taking in sewing to make additional money to help support her family. She wrote poetry and kept a journal full of her fondest childhood memories often using her artistic illustrations depicting these memories. Her children remember her Saturday trips delivering eggs, chickens, vegetables and homemade pressed butter to regular customers, again earning money for her family. She also raised rabbits and sold them as pets and for food. Martha was most passionate about her flowers and gardening and made floral arrangements from cuttings from the garden for churches and special occasions. Visitors came from many directions to see her gardens and buy Iris bulbs and cuttings. She prepared jams and jellies and apple butter "with a special recipe" that no one could duplicate. When a visitor arrived they never left empty handed. She was predeceased in death by her parents and husband; her son, Joe Hendricks Murphy Jr.; five sisters, Mattie Goodrich, Lucille LeBas, Donnie McGuireman, Sarah Powell, and Margaret Helmick and six brothers, Andrew, Bob. Charlie, Thomas, Bennie and Stanley; numerous sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws. She is survived by her brother, Stanley's wife Betty, who resides in Knoxville, Pa.; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and numerous devoted nieces and nephews. A service celebrating Martha's life will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, in Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield, with the Rev. Robert Ellis and the Rev. Dr. Donald R. Rhoton officiating. Family and friends will gather from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, in the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Bacon's Castle Cemetary Fund, 698 Bacon's Castle Trail, Surry, VA 23883 or to Battery Park Baptist Church P.O. Box 58, Battery Park, VA 23304.