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Sally Murphy Obituary

Sally Graham Murphy MOUNT ULLA - Sally Graham Murphy, of Mt. Ulla, Rowan County, North Carolina, died on Saturday, March 23 at Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville, of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on February 22, 1937, in the old Davis Hospital in Statesville. She was the daughter of William Ellison Graham, Jr. and Katherine Parcell Graham. Her family moved to Frederick, Maryland, where Sally met the love of her life, James Millard Murphy. They met at Frederick High School and were married on September 3, 1958 in Cleveland, North Carolina. Both James, who died in 1988, and Sally served as aldermen for the City of Frederick. Sally also served on the Planning Commission. In 1998, she moved to Mt. Ulla and restored the Thomas Cowan house, the second oldest house in Rowan County. She was an active member of Highest Praise Family Worship Center in China Grove and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She attended Mary Baldwin College and graduated from Hood College with a degree in biology in 1959. She is survived by her daughters, Caroline McAllister and her husband Dan, of Frederick, and Beth Snover and her husband Jay, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and her son, Lewis, of Middletown, Maryland; and by eight grandchildren: Graham, Madison and Kelly Murphy, Sally, James, Mary and Charles Snover and Patrick McAllister. She is also survived by her brother, William Ellison Graham, III and his wife, Nancy, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Visitation will be Monday, March 25 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Summersett Funeral Home, 1315 West Innes Street in Salisbury. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Highest Praise Family Worship Center, 1700 Bostian Road in China Grove. Sally will be buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland. Visitation in Frederick will be Thursday, March 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street in Frederick. Funeral services will be Friday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Harvest Christian Fellowship, 8707 Indian Springs Road in Frederick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Crossnore School, P.O. Box 249, Crossnore, NC, or to Highest Praise Family Worship Center, P.O. Box 17, Landis, N.C. 28088. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Murphy family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer on Mar. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Sally Murphy

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Barbara Lyons Barrett

March 20, 2025

We were very lucky to have know Sally - she was a very special lady.
She will remain forever in our hearts.
Love & best wishes to Caroline, Dan, Beth, Jay , Lewis and all your families.

Jim Scott

April 2, 2013

Sorry to hear about he passing. It's been over 50 years since I was her husbands (Jim) roomie and frat brother at Washington College. Many a night we would talk about how much he loved and missed Sally, who was away at college.

Beth Williamson (Sanner)

March 31, 2013

Caroline, Beth and Lewis,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. She was such a wonderful person. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

March 28, 2013

I was sorry to hear about Sally. It has been a good while since I talked with her but I enjoyed and appreciated
knowing her. She was a fine lady.
Our prayers are with all of the family.
David Gray

Denise Koontz

March 28, 2013

I was very honored to attend church with Ms Sally and get to know her in our Sunday School class. She was a great inspiration to me...a delightful lady to talk to and a woman of great faith. I will miss her. Prayers for you all.

Regina Truitt (Miller)

March 27, 2013

Thinking of you Caroline. I remember your Mom so well and her wonderful smile. I thought of her just last week when I was talking to someone about our post-prom party at your parents' house. I have many fond memories of your terrific parents. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Barbara Lyons Barrett

March 26, 2013

Caroline Beth and Lewis
Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Sally was a very special friend. We have always cherished her friendship. We will miss her. We remember her generosity and warm hospitality to us on our many visits to US. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. A big hug from all of us. So sorry we cant be there.
Love Barbara, John Orla & Tina.
May she rest in peace.

DARIEN SHEETS

March 26, 2013

I WENT TO CHURCH WITH SALLY AT HIGHEST PRAISE.SHE WAS A WONDERFUL,GODLY WOMAN.SHE LOVED GOD AND HER CHURCH.SHE WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH.

Barbara Lyons Barrett

March 26, 2013

Caroline Beth & Lewis
Thinking of you all at this very sad time. We were so sorry to learn of your Mums passing. Sally was a very special friend. We will miss her so much. I have such fond memories if her wonderful kindness and hospitality. We send you all a big hug and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Barbara; John; Orla and Tina.
May she rest in peace

David & Denise Rowland

March 26, 2013

May God Bless Your Family During This Time Of Sorrow.
Ms. Sally was such a sweet woman.

Stephanie Davis

March 25, 2013

To the Children and Grandchildren of Sally Murphy,
Your mother and grandmother was a very classy lady. A person I am honored to have worked for at the Mayor's office. She was a GOD fearing and GOD serving woman.

March 25, 2013

Caroline, Beth and Lewis,

We are so sad to her of your loss. Sally has always been such an amazing and talented person. I will see you at the funeral. Much love to all of you.

Jane, Mark, Grant and Adam Conversano

Mary Wilhelm

March 25, 2013

We went to church with Sally for a few years. She was such a sweet lady and was so kind to my family. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. May the Lord give you strength and comfort in the loss of a very special lady.

March 25, 2013

Caroline - I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a beautiful 'southern lady'. Pat Maxwell Fletcher

March 25, 2013

Kim, David, and I are so sorry to hear of Sally's death. It was a shock for me. We are the same age. There are many good memories of the whole family. We were so blessed in knowing all of you. Prayers and peace go out to you. Peg Bracken

Jeannie Mantell Havel

March 25, 2013

Caroline, Beth, and Lewis - We are sorry for your loss. There are many happy childhood memories of visits between our families, weekends at square dance camp, and trips to see Aunt Blanche. You are in our thoughts and prayers. -- The family of Patty & Dave Mantell

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