Obituary: Mary Ruth Murphy

Mary Ruth Murphy, age 80, of Clinton, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at home surrounded by her family.

Ruth was raised in Andersonville and graduated from Norris High School. She met her husband Bob when she was a telephone operator at Southern Bell.

She retired to be a full-time mother and touched many lives through her work with PTA, sports leagues, scouts, and her community. Ruth’s favorite place was her garden, and she was an avid sports fan.

Ruth is preceded in death by parents, Zee and Reba Melton, and siblings, Betty Irwin and James Melton.

Ruth is survived by husband, Robert C. Murphy; children Deborah Dickson (Ashley), R. Lynn Murphy (Donna), and Stephen W. Murphy (Mary); granddaughter, Lyndsai Thoma (Albert); siblings, Clifton Melton (Judy), Clayton Foust (Pam), June Henderson, Faye McCoy, and Sue Melton; beloved nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ruth’s family will receive friends on Saturday, Dec. 28, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Jones Mortuary in Clinton. A graveside service will immediately follow at Norris Memorial Gardens in Norris.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth requested donations be made to the Anderson County Humane Society at www.andersoncohumane.org or 969 Oak Ridge Turnpike, PMB 366, Oak Ridge TN 37830.