JOEL BORLAND MURPHREE

Joel Borland Murphree Joel Borland Murphree died suddenly on Sunday, January 10, 2010. He was 78. A service in honor of his life will be held at Saint Paul's United Methodist Church on the morning of January 15 at 11:00 a.m. EST in Tallahassee followed by burial at Rose-lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, January 14, at Bevis Funeral Home at 2710 N. Monroe Street from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST. A true Christian gentleman who loved the Lord and followed Christ in all aspects of his life, Joel was a long-time member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Joel devoted himself to the service of Christ through St. Paul's, where he was always a ready volunteer, teacher and faithful friend to hundreds of church members. Born in Elba, Alabama, on February 10, 1931, Joel was the fifth and youngest child of Harris and Mildred Murphree. After growing up in Elba and Jackson, Mississippi, he graduated from Auburn University, married Elinor Martin and began a teaching career that would eventually bring him to Key West, Florida, where he served as a teacher and middle school principal. In 1969, Joel accepted a position with the Florida Department of Education in the migrant education program. He and Elinor and their two sons, Joey and Boyd, moved to Tallahassee and Joel spent much of his job traveling the state and nation working to promote education for migrant children. After more than twenty years of state service he took up a second career as an instructor at Aucilla Christian Academy in Jefferson County, Florida. Joel was a devoted husband and loving father, whose love for life was enjoyed by family, neighbors, and friends. He spent much of the last decade of his life providing care for his wife Elinor, who was stricken with Alzheimer's. Joel's love and care of Elinor was an inspiration to all who knew him. After her death, he served as a dedicated volunteer for the Alzheimer's Foundation, Inc., receiving its Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009. Joel was predeceased by his oldest son Joey, who died in 1977. He is survived by a son, Ridgeway Boyd Murphree, a daughter-in-law, Margaret and three beloved step-grandchild-ren: Rachel, Jordan and Nathan. He is also survived by three of his four siblings: Boyd Murphree of Elba, AL, Dot Palmes of Davidson, NC and Marge Rainer of Birmingham, AL. In addition, Joel was blessed to enjoy the love and respect of dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. Bevis Funeral Home, (850) 385-2193, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at www. eprisenow.com