Richard Kendrick Murphey

Richard Kendrick "Ken" Murphey, Jr. (52) died Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. His life ended with his two most beloved girls, his wife, Meg, and daughter, Kate, by his side. Ken courageously battled pancreatic cancer for only a little more than three months. His determination and will to fight never faltered. Ken always maintained his sense of humor, love for his family, faith, and his will to fight to live.
Ken was born in Marks, Mississippi, on April 4, 1971. He was the eldest son of Wanda Murphey and the late Ken Murphey. Ken grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and graduated from Lee Academy in 1989, where he excelled in all sports. He was an integral player in the 1987 State AAA championship game. Ken was an exceptional wide receiver and held a prestigious record at Lee catching 50 passes for 695 yards and eight touchdowns in a single year and 85 receptions for a two-year total. He proudly held that record at Lee Academy for 16 years. He was a first-team All-North AAA choice for two seasons and played for the North All-Stars in the Academy Conference All-Star game. Ken also was a stellar baseball player. He always held a strong admiration for his coaches and teachers at Lee Academy.
After graduating from Lee Academy, Ken attended Mississippi State University where he majored in business/marketing. At State, he found his lifelong love for the Bulldogs and for his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. As a dedicated member of SAE, he served as Rush Chairman and Eminent Supreme Duty Archon (VP). After college, he returned home to Clarksdale where he married his high school sweetheart, Meg Hatchett. Ken's first job of employment was working for his family's distributor business, Murphey Beverage. After the untimely death of his father, he made the decision to open his own distributorship in 1997, Clear Mountain Water. In later years, Ken reverted the company's name back to Murphey Beverage. Ken loved serving the people and developed personal relationships with so many of his customers.
Twelve years ago, Ken was led, after much thought, prayer, and guidance, to run for city council. His love for the City of Clarksdale and its residents was his driving force to improve the city and do all he could to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Clarksdale. Serving as Commissioner for Ward 2 for the City of Clarksdale, Ken was a dedicated servant who never met a stranger and treated each and every person with respect, compassion, and dignity. He always listened wholeheartedly to each and everyone's concerns and problems, and he always strived his best to resolve their issues. Ken's love, compassion, and hope for all his constituents and for Clarksdale were present in him every day. He worked and fought for the City of Clarksdale until his last moments, always supporting the city he loved so much.
Ken was preceded in death by his father, Ken Murphey, and his brother, Ben Murphey. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Meg Hatchett Murphey, his daughter, Kate Murphey, and his mother, Wanda Willis Murphey.
Sincere and special thanks to all who supported and loved our family during this difficult time and to Dr. Ryan Yates and his staff at the Baptist Cancer Center of Oxford and the many incredible nurses and doctors at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
A visitation will be held at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 P.M. with burial at Oakridge Cemetery. The family invites all friends and family to a celebration of the life of Ken Murphey at The Bank, 123 E 2nd Street, immediately following the burial. Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home of Clarksdale is handling the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clarksdale CARES, Griot Arts, Spring Initiative, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Pancreatic Center Foundation, or the donor's choice.