MITCHELL – Wanda L. Murphy passed away February 16, 2015, at Garden Villa in Bedford.
Born May 11, 1921, in Bedford, Indiana, Wanda was the eldest child of Walter H. and Hazel E. (Rodgers) Rager. She graduated from Mitchell High School in 1939.
Wanda was married to William F. “Bill” Murphy, Jr. on September 8, 1943. Following Bill’s service in the Pacific with the U. S. Army Air Corps, the couple settled near Rock Lick Creek where they farmed and raised their three children, one of whom tragically passed away in childhood. After Bill’s death in 1982, Wanda continued to live on the farm within a mile of her children and grandchildren, where she proudly remained for all but the last 15 months of her life.
Wanda was a member of the First Christian Church of Mitchell where she worked as a secretary for many years. She enjoyed painting and was a former member of the Lawrence County Art Association and Fleur de Lis. Above all, she was a devoted grandmother who will be remembered for her loving, involved presence and unique personality. She was a hilarious storyteller, creator of prize-winning Halloween costumes, patient teacher in the art of homemade pie crusts, and prodigious collector of shoes. She played the ukulele. She wore leather driving gloves and disregarded the speed limit. As a girl she convinced the neighbor kids that eating rose petals would give them the power to see fairies; later, she convinced her grandson that drinking carrot juice would give him X-ray vision. She once outran a buffalo. She took pride in her family and loved to brag about their achievements.
Surviving: her son and daughter-in-law, Jack D. and Margaret M. Murphy,
Mitchell
her daughter, Joyce A. Chenoweth, Mitchell
her grandchildren, Kristen A. Murphy
Erin E. Murphy
Michael W. Murphy
her brother and sister-in-law, Walter H. and Wanda J. Rager, Mitchell
seven nieces and nephews
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Michael D. Murphy; her husband, Bill; and her brother and sister-in-law, Robert D. and Helen M. Rager.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Mike Collins officiating. Burial will be in Sheeks Cemetery.
Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.
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