Tempie Christine Murphy Guy

Tempie Christine Murphy Guy, 88, passed away Monday, July 19, 2010. She was born March 29, 1922 in Tillery NC, daughter of the late William and Emma Murphy. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Gordon Guy Jr.; sister, Evelyn Coltrain; step-sister, Dulah Pate; brother, William Murphy ; step-brothers, Gus Coltrain, Javan Coltrain and Randolph Coltrain.
She has worked hard all of her life. She always wanted her family to have everything possible and to live a better life than she and her family had to live. Her father left when she was very young and she spent most of her adult life looking for him or to find out where he had lived or was buried. She never did find him. Now, we pray that she will meet him in heaven.
She worked at Kress's Dime Store, The Telephone Company, and Standard Electric, Sold Stanley Home Products, Thorpe Music Company and was payroll clerk at Rocky Mount Undergarment until she retired to tend to her sick husband.
She loved her flowers and the beautiful colors that they brought forth. She loved to crochet snowflakes and had 62 dolls that were crocheted in the dress of each country. Baby blankets, bootees, hats, etc. were made for all her grandchildren. She loved to watch the hummingbirds come and go each year.
She loved the coast of North Carolina and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse always fascinated her.
If you needed someone to listen, she was the one you could go to. Her love for her neighbors on Mallory Street and her love for her neighbors at Hunter Hill Senior Village Apartments and even those she met during her stays at Nash Rehab and Golden Living Nursing Homes was evident by the many conversations that they would have together. She always saw the good in everyone. In most of those conversations, she would listen and try her best to encourage them and even give a Bible verse for guidance.
She was a godly woman, who came up during the depression, made the very best out of what she had and loved to share with anyone who would come by or listen.
Her love for God, her church family at Arlington Baptist Church, her immediate family and her country was always first and foremost in her life. She will be missed by those whom God put in her path.
She leaves behind her daughter, Barbara Hendricks and husband Robert of Battleboro; sister, Cora Isabelle Abrams of Pinetops; two step-sisters, Louie Peele of Williamston and Elsie Richardson of Mechanicsburg PA; three grandchildren, Cynthia Smith and husband Scott of Pinetops, Patricia Carmichael and husband Todd of Battleboro, and Christie Webb and husband Eric of Elm City; four great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Christopher Smith, and Samantha and Taylor Carmichael; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 7-8:30p.m. Wednesday July 21, 2010 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Tim Lowry and Dr. Bill Tomlinson officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made to Arlington Baptist Church Music or Building Funds, 1500 Bethlehem Road, Rocky Mount NC 27803.
Sincere thanks go to Dr. David Browder, Dr. Cohen and their entire staff for the compassion and professionalism shown during her sickness.
Arrangements by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.