Martha Murphy

1924 - 2014

Martha Archer LaRoche Murphy

Martha (Marty) Archer LaRoche Murphy (Mimi) was born in Ripley, TN, to Elizabeth Read Archer and David Bennett Archer. An only child, she was the darling of her mother's four sisters and always desired a large family of her own. During the summer break of 1943, after her first year at the University of Tennessee, she met Lt. Richard LaRoche, who was stationed at the Dyersburg Army Air Base. They married in November, 1943, and after the war moved to Nashville where LaRoche finished college and then law school at Vanderbilt. The couple settled in Murfreesboro in 1950.

While her husband practiced law, Marty reared their five children and became active in both church and community. Marty joined the congregation of the newly formed St. Mark's United Methodist Church and was an active Methodist for the rest of her life. She was a founding member of the Murfreesboro League of Women Voters and worked in many local and mid-state campaigns. As a direct descendent of George Read, a Delaware member of the First and Second Continental Congresses, Marty also was a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1970 Marty returned to Ripley, TN, married her second husband, Harold Murphy (a high school classmate), and enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Memphis, graduating with her BS and a Teacher's Certificate in 1974. That fall she started a 12-year career as a Head Start teacher for Lauderdale County, TN. In Ripley, Marty rejoined her childhood church, First United Methodist Church, and again became involved in many civic activities, including serving on the Board of the Lauderdale County Public Housing Authority for many years. After the death of her husband in 1986, Marty joined the Memphis Chapter of the Friendship Force, an international cultural exchange group, and traveled widely and frequently. She also took her five children, their spouses, and sometimes her 11 grandchildren on cruises, thirteen in all, surrounding herself with loving family as in her youth. Family and friends called her "Mimi."

In 2006, Marty returned to Murfreesboro as a resident of AdamsPlace Independent Living, where many friends resided and many new friends were made.

Marty was known and loved by all as a feisty, active and involved friend and parent; she had an inquisitive and wide-ranging intellect, and was loved and appreciated by everyone with whom she came into contact. She renewed her personal church, civic ties, and was honored at the Power of Pink Event in 2008 as a breast cancer survivor.

Marty is survived by her five children: Ted (Gloria) LaRoche of Murfreesboro; Cheryl (Bob) Kellermann of South Pittsburg; Elizabeth (John Murray) LaRoche of Murfreesboro; Debbie (Lynn) Kennedy of Ripley; and Lina (Jeff) Warden of Christiana, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. At her request a quiet visitation was held at AdamsPlace, and her ashes will be inurned at a family ceremony in Ripley. Memorials may be made to either St. Marks United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro; First United Methodist of Ripley; or a charity of your choice.

Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151. Condolences may be made at www.woodfinchapel.com