Romallus O. Murphy

GREENSBORO — Romallus O. Murphy, 83, of 339 East Montcastle Drive Unit E, Greensboro, NC received the greatest Christmas gift by his arrival in heaven on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

A celebration of his life will begin at 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at Genesis Baptist Church, 2812 East Bessemer Ave., Greensboro, NC, and will be preceded by a family hour at 11 a.m.

Attorney Romallus Murphy was born on December 18, 1928 in Oakdale, LA., and was the son of the late Jimmie Murphy and Mary Celeste Collins. He was a practicing attorney in Greensboro, NC where he served a community appreciative of his work. In October 2006, an Annual Continuing Education Program was established bearing his name. This yearly program assists lawyers in refining their legal skills and renewing their dedication to honorable, steadfast service, which was the hallmark of Attorney Murphy's career.

He attended college at Howard University and graduated in 1951. He continued his education at Howard University Law School and completed his legal education at the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he graduated in 1956 and was the only student of color. He began his legal career in Wilson, NC where he was the only African American attorney in that part of eastern North Carolina. In 1959 he was retained by the Wilson community to bring a voting lawsuit against the City of Wilson. Attorney Murphy litigated the case through the state courts and eventually argued the case before the United States Supreme Court. Though unsuccessful, the case was part of the record that convinced the Congress to enact the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He served as Chair of the Legal Redress Committee of North Carolina Conference of the NAACP since the 1960's, and also served in the United States Air Force, where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

Mr. Murphy served as President of Shaw College in Detroit, Michigan for several years. He also practiced law in the capital city of Raleigh, North Carolina, with renowned civil rights lawyer, Samuel Mitchell. In 1987, he was legal counsel to the North Carolina State Conference of Branches for the NAACP. He was part of the legal team that forced the State of North Carolina to create electoral opportunities for Black lawyers to become Superior Court Judges. His lawsuit was the catalyst that forced the North Carolina General Assembly to create majority black judicial districts. As a result of this effort, at least eight African-American judges were elected to the Superior Court bench. Romallus Murphy was a courageous attorney who worked diligently to foster and continue our Nation's founding principle-that all men and women are created equal.

He was a dedicated member of Genesis Baptist Church were he served as the first chair of the Trustee Board. He also served in other capacities: Assistant Sunday School Superintendant, kitchen ministry, Laymen's League, elevator committee and Black History month facilitator.

Surviving are his wife, Gale B. Murphy, and former wife Norma Murphy. He is also survived by his eight children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grand children.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407.

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