David Ray Murphey, 71, of Newton passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at his residence in Newton. He was born Friday, February 3, 1950, in Union, Mississippi.
Visitation was held on Monday, June 28, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Newton County Funeral Home-South in Newton. Funeral Services were held at 1 p.m. in the chapel, and burial followed in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Bro. Jackie Strebeck officiated. Newton County Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (601) 635-3200
Those who knew Mr. David affectionately called him “Murph.” Mr. Murph was a 1968 graduate of Newton High School, and he earned his auto mechanic certification from East Central Community College in Decatur. He was a veteran of the United States Army, and he served in the Vietnam War as an automobile mechanic. Mr. Murph was a Newton City police officer, and he worked for MDOT for 36 ½ years. He was a member of the American Legion Hut Post 89 and Pine Bluff Baptist Church. He was a fan of the Mississippi Braves, Atlanta Braves, and NASCAR. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Ray and Bonnie Murphey, his grandparents, T. Victor and Pearl L. Murphey and Charles Wesley and Bessie Cook, and a nephew, Michael Patrick.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Betty Murphey, his children, Daphne Maule, Delores Murphey, Denise Nicholas, Jason James (Kim), Sherri McCrary (Harold), Kim Tuggle, and Chris James (Ashley), his sisters, Glenda Shepard and Bonnie Evans (John), 22 Grandchildren, 10 Great-Grandchildren, his nephew, Keith Shepard (Jennifer), his niece, Angie Blount (Dean), and a host of cousins.
Pallbearers will be Michael Vaughn, Christopher Allen, Steven James II, Glenn Sprinkle, Nick Nations, Tommy Young, Caleb Swanner, and Brayden James.
Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Thorne, Mark Ingram, Raeford Bounds, Freddie Hedrick, Bill Vance, members of Post 89, and the men of Pine Bluff Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pine Bluff Baptist Church Building Fund, 365 Turkey Creek Rd, Newton, MS 3945.
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