Eric M Murphy

Eric Michael Murphy

“Lunch”

Eric Michael Murphy, affectionately known as Lunch, was born on December 7, 1960, in Petersburg, Virginia, to the late Annie Mae Goode and James Benjamin Murphy. He was the last and youngest child of Annie Mae Goode, and as the story goes, he received all the benefits of being the youngest of seven. He gained an additional benefit by growing up under the watchful eye of his sister Scarlette Hunley and was in essence a member of the Hunley brood.

In Petersburg, Eric was well loved and spent his childhood in varied mischief, from running around the Heights with his friends to teaching his nephews his winning “techniques” during their card and dice games. Eric grew up in a fast- paced environment and as a result was no stranger to trouble; he often fought with the other neighborhood kids, skipped class, and stole from the local stores. Nonetheless, he was beloved and was nicknamed “Lunch” because of his penchant for skipping class to attend every lunch period - and beating others out of their lunches.

Eric wasn’t the perfect student, but he was very active in sports, including the football team, basketball team, wrestling team; and sang with his best friends in the Supreme Choice Musical group.

While playing on the football team, Eric’s team became state champions for Petersburg High School and their music group gained local celebrity with their smooth R&B performances.

Once he moved to California, Eric’s life gradually and drastically evolved as he became a husband, father, and minister of music.

In California, at Eric’s first glimpse of his bride-to-be, Glenda Carter, he knew she would be his wife. They wed on May 19, 1992, and Eric became the father of his first daughter, Tierra Patterson. Together, Eric and Glenda bore Eric’s namesake, Ericka, and their younger daughter Essence. They also gained guardianship of Eric’s “g-baby” Scott and adopted Brenda and Mary, and expanded their family with Adriana and Aljanae. Eric and his son Scott were surrounded by women, with his 7 daughters, wife and female German Shepherd.

Eric’s family was passionate about music just like he was. He participated as a minister of music on multiple praise teams at the churches they attended, and remained active performing at several venues across Southern California. His children grew up listening to the songs Eric wrote, Luther Vandross, and his Gospel Jubilee album. They were also involved in ministry while they attended Agape Family Life Center where Eric led in the praise team. Through his ministry, Eric developed several lifetime friendships, and developed a special relationship with his pastors, Wiley and Marsha Jones. Till his death, he participated on a daily prayer call with his brothers and sisters from the church.

Eric Murphy was called home on Tuesday, October 04, 2022. He was preceded in death by his mother Annie Mae Goode, father James Benjamin Murphy, stepfather Bruce Claiborne, sisters, Annie Ruth Goode, and Rosa Waddell, and Brother James “Bubbie” Benjamin Goode. He leaves to remember him his wife Glenda Murphy, daughters Tierra Patterson, Mary Murphy, Brenda Murphy, Ericka Murphy, Adriana Grayson, Essence Murphy, and Aljanae Grayson, his son Scott Lejk and his siblings Odelia Gibbs, Scarlette Hunley, Rita Jones (Rickey), Brenda Murphy, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who are family.

A Musical and Praise will be held Saturday, November 12th at 11:00 am., Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffery Reeves; pastor, Rev. Alexander L. Williams; officiating and Rev Steve Jones, eulogist.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Joseph M. Johnson and Son Funeral Home, 530 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803.  804-863-4411.  Online condolences can be rendered at www.johnsonservices.us.