Patricia Hemphill

Patricia Hemphill was born in the small southern town of Brooksville Florida in 1929. Her father James (Pat) Murphy owned the drug store where she spent many happy hours working and hanging out with her friends.

She graduated from Florida State University. She also spent time in the Netherlands where she made many international friends. She moved to New York City and was employed on the radio sharing stories of life in the south.

She married William (Bill) Duryee and moved to Princeton New Jersey. There she raised two children, Allison and James, and also worked in public relations. She took loving care of her husband as he battled fatal kidney disease.

Several years after Bill's passing she married William (Bill) Klassen and moved to Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. There she worked in television and opinion research. She also spent a year in Isreal. She divorced and returned to Florida State University to obtain a degree in law. Soon after Pat moved to Washington DC and practiced as an attorney for the department of labor.

She married John Hemphill and after several years moved to Floria ultimately settling in Melbourne Florida. There she created many beautiful award winning paintings and actively participated in the Unitarian church.

Several years ago Pat moved to Raleigh North Carolina to be closer to her daughter. She passed peacefully on January 18, 2026.

She is survived by her two children and their three children and by her three step children and their children. She has made a lasting impact and will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the naacp scholarship fund via http:/ www.nativityonline.com