News Article
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY)
Life on Memory Lane
104-year-old Liberty woman recalls a century spent in same neighborhood
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
LIBERTY - Memory Lane is more than an address for 104-year-old Lucy Murphy. She has spent over a century within a mile of where she currently lives. It holds a life-time of memories for Mrs. Murphy, who is considered the oldest resident of the county.
``Everybody knows me,'' declared Mrs. Murphy, who is often called Ma Murphy or Aunt Lucy by her friends.
``She even gets mail to Ma Murphy,'' said her daughter, Helene McDonald, with whom she lives.
As the years go by, Mrs. Murphy's birthdays do not go unnoticed. She has gotten cards and letters from President Clinton, U.S. and state officials and sometimes greetings from TV personality Will Scott.
She likes the attention she gets, especially from her fellow church members and neighbors.
``I'm spoiled a whole lot,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``My neighbors have got me spoiled, but I like it. I'm proud to see anyone come by.
``They always want to kiss me. People at the church want to shake my hands and leave lipstick on me,'' she said with a smile.
Mrs. Murphy's youthful appearance apparently keeps her young and does not go unnoticed.
``People ask me what keeps me young, but I don't do nothing,'' she said. ``They tell me I'm pretty, and I look in the looking glass to see where it is.''
``My husband (George Wesley ``Doc'') always said `pretty is as pretty does.' He spoiled me, too.''
During her lifetime, Mrs. reared nine children, pieced hundreds of quilts, sewed for countless neighbors and has missed few church services at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, where she has been a faithful member most of her life. In June 1994, the church presented her with a plaque on her 100th birthday.
She only stopped quilting a few years ago after her hands became a little shaky.
Quilts stitched by Mrs. Murphy's hands have wound up all over the country. She's given each of her children four quilts and each of her 28 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren have her handiwork although she has not seen all of her descendants. They're scattered about in Kentucky and in other states.
She's sold few quilts; most have been given away. They were given as gifts or to someone who had lost their belongings in a fire or other disaster.
Mrs. Murphy has lived with her youngest daughter, Helene McDonald and her husband, Lonzie, for the past 14 years. She's pieced 27 quilt tops during those years.
Until she moved to her daughter's house, Mrs. Murphy lived at the family home in the Walnut Hill community. ``Then I got forgetful and couldn't hear well,'' she said. She is still sometimes forgetful and now she has hearing aides to help out with hearing.
She's not happy about walking with a cane, but admits it helps her get around better.
With time on her hands now, Mrs. Murphy enjoys reading the newspaper and likes to keeping on learning.
``She'd always wanted to see a computer,'' said Mrs. McDonald. ``We took her across the road to Murphy Gate to check one out. She enjoyed that.''
``I always try to learn something new everyday,'' said Mrs. Murphy.
She has not forgotten much either.
She remembers her wedding supper at her parents' house on the day of her wedding in 1913.
``We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper.'' Then the noise started.
``About midnight we heard gun fire. I was real scared.'' It was the beginning of the shivaree. Her husband got rode out on a rail.
``We had a big time,'' she said.
In the years that followed, the Murphy couple had 11 children. Two died in infancy. The others are: Myrtle Harne, Sherwood, Mattie Decker, Sherman, Fred, Edwin, Irvine, Kenneth, Claude and Helene McDonald.
Kenneth, one of the five Murphy sons who served in the military at same time, was killed in the Korean Conflict; James died young and Edwin died a few years ago.
When Mrs. Murphy was raising her children, she used a wash board to do laundry and cooked many meals for them on a four-cap wood stove.
Things got better after the Murphys were married a while and he began operating a sawmill. That's all he ever did, she said.
And she's seen the sawdust to prove it.
``I used a broom to get the dust off the floor,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``He'd come in and shake the dust off his clothes onto the floor. Then we got a new vacuum cleaner.'' She still fussed at him about the dust.
``One day he said: `What do you think I got you a new sweeper for?' I said, of course, to sweep with but not to sweep up dust every day.''
Her husband died in 1954.
Regressing to her younger days, Mrs. Murphy remembers how she helped her father because her younger brother had not been born.
``I remember I was a little girl about 11 years old when Daddy used me as a boy. He'd put me on a horse and send me to a workshop in Phil to have saws sharpened.''
On one those trips, Mrs. Murphy got a glimpse of the first automobile in Casey County. ``It didn't have a steering wheel. It was guided with a metal rod, and about scared my horse to death.
``She (the horse) ran off with me and crossed a creek before a man caught the horse.'' She escaped without injury.
She began sewing for neighbors to help out the family after her father died at the age of 34, leaving five children.
``Mother had to raise the children and we chopped out corn for 40 cents a day. We were proud to get 40 cents a day.''
Mrs. Murphy attended the old Boyle one-room school, but she did not go much after her father died. ``I had to wash and chop out corn.''
Her career has been varied although she had never held a public job or worked much out of the home.
Besides making quilts and doing sewing, she's made floral arrangements from crepe paper that were used at funerals. This was in the time before florists. Sometimes she'd make two dozen bouquets for a funeral.
``I would like to make a bunch of those flowers again,'' she said. But crepe paper is hard to find these days.
Mrs. Murphy doesn't know how much longer she will be on this earth although she's in fairly good health.
``The Bible says our days are numbered, but I don't know when I'll go. I guess when the Lord gets ready for me.''
+++++
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Sunday, May 30, 2004
Sunday May 30, 2004
Oldest Casey citizen celebrates 110th birthday
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
"LIBERTY - Lucy Murphy, the oldest person in Casey County, celebrated her 110th birthday Thursday.
"Mrs. Murphy was not honored with a large celebration this year as she had been in the past because of her health, however, she did have a cake with friends at Liberty Care Center, where she has resided the past year. She had been living with her daughter, Helen McDonald on Memory Lane.
"She received a plaque from the Casey County School Alumni Association for being the oldest living person to attend Casey County schools. Her daughter, Helen McDonald, accepted the plaque at a recent luncheon.
"Mrs. Murphy also got a letter from Williard Scott, who does birthday wishes on the NBC television Today Show.
"She does pretty well, but not as well as she was a couple of years ago," said Mrs. McDonald.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Mrs. Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day. She also talked then about her wedding in 1913.
"After the ceremony, her parents hosted a wedding supper for their daughter and new husband, George Welsey Murphy.
"We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper." Then the noise started. "About midnight we heard a gunfire. I was real scared." That was the beginning of the shivaree. "We had a good time."
"In the years that followed, the Murphys had 11 children - Myrtle, Sherwood, Edwin, Mattie, Sherman, Kenneth, Fred, James, Helen, Caude, Irene. Only four of the children, Sherman of Louisville, Edwin of Liberty, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Mrs. McDonald, are still living.
"Kenneth was killed in action in the Korean War. In memory of her son, Mrs. Murphy is a Gold Star Mother, and seldom misses a Memorial Day service where she is always recognized. Five of the Murphy sons served in the military.
"There are six generations of the Murphys including 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren living in Casey County and surrounding area."
+++++
Obituary
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Tuesday, November 2, 2004
"Lucy Murphy, Casey County's oldest resident, dies at 110
"LIBERTY - Casey County's oldest citizen - 110-year-old Lucy Jo Murphy - died Sunday at Liberty Care Center.
"Miss Lucy, as she was known by friends, observed her 110th birthday May 30 with friends at the center where she had lived about a year.
"Prior to that, she had lived most of her life on Memory Lane.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day.
"She also talked about her wedding day in 1913 when she married George Wesley "Doc" Murphy at her parents' house. After the wedding supper, friends began a shivaree at midnight that included gunfire which frightened her at first.
"The Murphys had 11 children, four of whom are still living. Five of the sons served in the military. After one son, Kenneth, was killed in action in the Korean War, Murphy was named a Gold Star Mother and rarely missed a Memorial Day service.
"Born May 27, 1894, in Casey County, she was the daughter of the late James and Lola Shelton Allen.
"She was a homemaker, a member of Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, and the widow of George Wesley "Doc" Murphy.
"Survivors include two daughters, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Helena McDonald of Liberty; two sons, Edwin Murphy of Liberty and Sherman Murphy of Louisville; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
"She was predeceased by seven children, Mattie, Sherwood, Kenneth, Fred, James, Claude and Irene.
"Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church by Clifton Cowan and Joey Murphy. Burial will be in Murphy Cemetery.
"Pallbearers will be grandchildren.
"Visitation is after 5 p.m. today at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home."
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY)
Life on Memory Lane
104-year-old Liberty woman recalls a century spent in same neighborhood
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
LIBERTY - Memory Lane is more than an address for 104-year-old Lucy Murphy. She has spent over a century within a mile of where she currently lives. It holds a life-time of memories for Mrs. Murphy, who is considered the oldest resident of the county.
``Everybody knows me,'' declared Mrs. Murphy, who is often called Ma Murphy or Aunt Lucy by her friends.
``She even gets mail to Ma Murphy,'' said her daughter, Helene McDonald, with whom she lives.
As the years go by, Mrs. Murphy's birthdays do not go unnoticed. She has gotten cards and letters from President Clinton, U.S. and state officials and sometimes greetings from TV personality Will Scott.
She likes the attention she gets, especially from her fellow church members and neighbors.
``I'm spoiled a whole lot,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``My neighbors have got me spoiled, but I like it. I'm proud to see anyone come by.
``They always want to kiss me. People at the church want to shake my hands and leave lipstick on me,'' she said with a smile.
Mrs. Murphy's youthful appearance apparently keeps her young and does not go unnoticed.
``People ask me what keeps me young, but I don't do nothing,'' she said. ``They tell me I'm pretty, and I look in the looking glass to see where it is.''
``My husband (George Wesley ``Doc'') always said `pretty is as pretty does.' He spoiled me, too.''
During her lifetime, Mrs. reared nine children, pieced hundreds of quilts, sewed for countless neighbors and has missed few church services at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, where she has been a faithful member most of her life. In June 1994, the church presented her with a plaque on her 100th birthday.
She only stopped quilting a few years ago after her hands became a little shaky.
Quilts stitched by Mrs. Murphy's hands have wound up all over the country. She's given each of her children four quilts and each of her 28 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren have her handiwork although she has not seen all of her descendants. They're scattered about in Kentucky and in other states.
She's sold few quilts; most have been given away. They were given as gifts or to someone who had lost their belongings in a fire or other disaster.
Mrs. Murphy has lived with her youngest daughter, Helene McDonald and her husband, Lonzie, for the past 14 years. She's pieced 27 quilt tops during those years.
Until she moved to her daughter's house, Mrs. Murphy lived at the family home in the Walnut Hill community. ``Then I got forgetful and couldn't hear well,'' she said. She is still sometimes forgetful and now she has hearing aides to help out with hearing.
She's not happy about walking with a cane, but admits it helps her get around better.
With time on her hands now, Mrs. Murphy enjoys reading the newspaper and likes to keeping on learning.
``She'd always wanted to see a computer,'' said Mrs. McDonald. ``We took her across the road to Murphy Gate to check one out. She enjoyed that.''
``I always try to learn something new everyday,'' said Mrs. Murphy.
She has not forgotten much either.
She remembers her wedding supper at her parents' house on the day of her wedding in 1913.
``We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper.'' Then the noise started.
``About midnight we heard gun fire. I was real scared.'' It was the beginning of the shivaree. Her husband got rode out on a rail.
``We had a big time,'' she said.
In the years that followed, the Murphy couple had 11 children. Two died in infancy. The others are: Myrtle Harne, Sherwood, Mattie Decker, Sherman, Fred, Edwin, Irvine, Kenneth, Claude and Helene McDonald.
Kenneth, one of the five Murphy sons who served in the military at same time, was killed in the Korean Conflict; James died young and Edwin died a few years ago.
When Mrs. Murphy was raising her children, she used a wash board to do laundry and cooked many meals for them on a four-cap wood stove.
Things got better after the Murphys were married a while and he began operating a sawmill. That's all he ever did, she said.
And she's seen the sawdust to prove it.
``I used a broom to get the dust off the floor,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``He'd come in and shake the dust off his clothes onto the floor. Then we got a new vacuum cleaner.'' She still fussed at him about the dust.
``One day he said: `What do you think I got you a new sweeper for?' I said, of course, to sweep with but not to sweep up dust every day.''
Her husband died in 1954.
Regressing to her younger days, Mrs. Murphy remembers how she helped her father because her younger brother had not been born.
``I remember I was a little girl about 11 years old when Daddy used me as a boy. He'd put me on a horse and send me to a workshop in Phil to have saws sharpened.''
On one those trips, Mrs. Murphy got a glimpse of the first automobile in Casey County. ``It didn't have a steering wheel. It was guided with a metal rod, and about scared my horse to death.
``She (the horse) ran off with me and crossed a creek before a man caught the horse.'' She escaped without injury.
She began sewing for neighbors to help out the family after her father died at the age of 34, leaving five children.
``Mother had to raise the children and we chopped out corn for 40 cents a day. We were proud to get 40 cents a day.''
Mrs. Murphy attended the old Boyle one-room school, but she did not go much after her father died. ``I had to wash and chop out corn.''
Her career has been varied although she had never held a public job or worked much out of the home.
Besides making quilts and doing sewing, she's made floral arrangements from crepe paper that were used at funerals. This was in the time before florists. Sometimes she'd make two dozen bouquets for a funeral.
``I would like to make a bunch of those flowers again,'' she said. But crepe paper is hard to find these days.
Mrs. Murphy doesn't know how much longer she will be on this earth although she's in fairly good health.
``The Bible says our days are numbered, but I don't know when I'll go. I guess when the Lord gets ready for me.''
+++++
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Sunday, May 30, 2004
Sunday May 30, 2004
Oldest Casey citizen celebrates 110th birthday
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
"LIBERTY - Lucy Murphy, the oldest person in Casey County, celebrated her 110th birthday Thursday.
"Mrs. Murphy was not honored with a large celebration this year as she had been in the past because of her health, however, she did have a cake with friends at Liberty Care Center, where she has resided the past year. She had been living with her daughter, Helen McDonald on Memory Lane.
"She received a plaque from the Casey County School Alumni Association for being the oldest living person to attend Casey County schools. Her daughter, Helen McDonald, accepted the plaque at a recent luncheon.
"Mrs. Murphy also got a letter from Williard Scott, who does birthday wishes on the NBC television Today Show.
"She does pretty well, but not as well as she was a couple of years ago," said Mrs. McDonald.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Mrs. Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day. She also talked then about her wedding in 1913.
"After the ceremony, her parents hosted a wedding supper for their daughter and new husband, George Welsey Murphy.
"We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper." Then the noise started. "About midnight we heard a gunfire. I was real scared." That was the beginning of the shivaree. "We had a good time."
"In the years that followed, the Murphys had 11 children - Myrtle, Sherwood, Edwin, Mattie, Sherman, Kenneth, Fred, James, Helen, Caude, Irene. Only four of the children, Sherman of Louisville, Edwin of Liberty, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Mrs. McDonald, are still living.
"Kenneth was killed in action in the Korean War. In memory of her son, Mrs. Murphy is a Gold Star Mother, and seldom misses a Memorial Day service where she is always recognized. Five of the Murphy sons served in the military.
"There are six generations of the Murphys including 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren living in Casey County and surrounding area."
+++++
Obituary
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Tuesday, November 2, 2004
"Lucy Murphy, Casey County's oldest resident, dies at 110
"LIBERTY - Casey County's oldest citizen - 110-year-old Lucy Jo Murphy - died Sunday at Liberty Care Center.
"Miss Lucy, as she was known by friends, observed her 110th birthday May 30 with friends at the center where she had lived about a year.
"Prior to that, she had lived most of her life on Memory Lane.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day.
"She also talked about her wedding day in 1913 when she married George Wesley "Doc" Murphy at her parents' house. After the wedding supper, friends began a shivaree at midnight that included gunfire which frightened her at first.
"The Murphys had 11 children, four of whom are still living. Five of the sons served in the military. After one son, Kenneth, was killed in action in the Korean War, Murphy was named a Gold Star Mother and rarely missed a Memorial Day service.
"Born May 27, 1894, in Casey County, she was the daughter of the late James and Lola Shelton Allen.
"She was a homemaker, a member of Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, and the widow of George Wesley "Doc" Murphy.
"Survivors include two daughters, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Helena McDonald of Liberty; two sons, Edwin Murphy of Liberty and Sherman Murphy of Louisville; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
"She was predeceased by seven children, Mattie, Sherwood, Kenneth, Fred, James, Claude and Irene.
"Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church by Clifton Cowan and Joey Murphy. Burial will be in Murphy Cemetery.
"Pallbearers will be grandchildren.
"Visitation is after 5 p.m. today at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home."
News Article
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY)
Life on Memory Lane
104-year-old Liberty woman recalls a century spent in same neighborhood
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
LIBERTY - Memory Lane is more than an address for 104-year-old Lucy Murphy. She has spent over a century within a mile of where she currently lives. It holds a life-time of memories for Mrs. Murphy, who is considered the oldest resident of the county.
``Everybody knows me,'' declared Mrs. Murphy, who is often called Ma Murphy or Aunt Lucy by her friends.
``She even gets mail to Ma Murphy,'' said her daughter, Helene McDonald, with whom she lives.
As the years go by, Mrs. Murphy's birthdays do not go unnoticed. She has gotten cards and letters from President Clinton, U.S. and state officials and sometimes greetings from TV personality Will Scott.
She likes the attention she gets, especially from her fellow church members and neighbors.
``I'm spoiled a whole lot,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``My neighbors have got me spoiled, but I like it. I'm proud to see anyone come by.
``They always want to kiss me. People at the church want to shake my hands and leave lipstick on me,'' she said with a smile.
Mrs. Murphy's youthful appearance apparently keeps her young and does not go unnoticed.
``People ask me what keeps me young, but I don't do nothing,'' she said. ``They tell me I'm pretty, and I look in the looking glass to see where it is.''
``My husband (George Wesley ``Doc'') always said `pretty is as pretty does.' He spoiled me, too.''
During her lifetime, Mrs. reared nine children, pieced hundreds of quilts, sewed for countless neighbors and has missed few church services at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, where she has been a faithful member most of her life. In June 1994, the church presented her with a plaque on her 100th birthday.
She only stopped quilting a few years ago after her hands became a little shaky.
Quilts stitched by Mrs. Murphy's hands have wound up all over the country. She's given each of her children four quilts and each of her 28 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren have her handiwork although she has not seen all of her descendants. They're scattered about in Kentucky and in other states.
She's sold few quilts; most have been given away. They were given as gifts or to someone who had lost their belongings in a fire or other disaster.
Mrs. Murphy has lived with her youngest daughter, Helene McDonald and her husband, Lonzie, for the past 14 years. She's pieced 27 quilt tops during those years.
Until she moved to her daughter's house, Mrs. Murphy lived at the family home in the Walnut Hill community. ``Then I got forgetful and couldn't hear well,'' she said. She is still sometimes forgetful and now she has hearing aides to help out with hearing.
She's not happy about walking with a cane, but admits it helps her get around better.
With time on her hands now, Mrs. Murphy enjoys reading the newspaper and likes to keeping on learning.
``She'd always wanted to see a computer,'' said Mrs. McDonald. ``We took her across the road to Murphy Gate to check one out. She enjoyed that.''
``I always try to learn something new everyday,'' said Mrs. Murphy.
She has not forgotten much either.
She remembers her wedding supper at her parents' house on the day of her wedding in 1913.
``We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper.'' Then the noise started.
``About midnight we heard gun fire. I was real scared.'' It was the beginning of the shivaree. Her husband got rode out on a rail.
``We had a big time,'' she said.
In the years that followed, the Murphy couple had 11 children. Two died in infancy. The others are: Myrtle Harne, Sherwood, Mattie Decker, Sherman, Fred, Edwin, Irvine, Kenneth, Claude and Helene McDonald.
Kenneth, one of the five Murphy sons who served in the military at same time, was killed in the Korean Conflict; James died young and Edwin died a few years ago.
When Mrs. Murphy was raising her children, she used a wash board to do laundry and cooked many meals for them on a four-cap wood stove.
Things got better after the Murphys were married a while and he began operating a sawmill. That's all he ever did, she said.
And she's seen the sawdust to prove it.
``I used a broom to get the dust off the floor,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``He'd come in and shake the dust off his clothes onto the floor. Then we got a new vacuum cleaner.'' She still fussed at him about the dust.
``One day he said: `What do you think I got you a new sweeper for?' I said, of course, to sweep with but not to sweep up dust every day.''
Her husband died in 1954.
Regressing to her younger days, Mrs. Murphy remembers how she helped her father because her younger brother had not been born.
``I remember I was a little girl about 11 years old when Daddy used me as a boy. He'd put me on a horse and send me to a workshop in Phil to have saws sharpened.''
On one those trips, Mrs. Murphy got a glimpse of the first automobile in Casey County. ``It didn't have a steering wheel. It was guided with a metal rod, and about scared my horse to death.
``She (the horse) ran off with me and crossed a creek before a man caught the horse.'' She escaped without injury.
She began sewing for neighbors to help out the family after her father died at the age of 34, leaving five children.
``Mother had to raise the children and we chopped out corn for 40 cents a day. We were proud to get 40 cents a day.''
Mrs. Murphy attended the old Boyle one-room school, but she did not go much after her father died. ``I had to wash and chop out corn.''
Her career has been varied although she had never held a public job or worked much out of the home.
Besides making quilts and doing sewing, she's made floral arrangements from crepe paper that were used at funerals. This was in the time before florists. Sometimes she'd make two dozen bouquets for a funeral.
``I would like to make a bunch of those flowers again,'' she said. But crepe paper is hard to find these days.
Mrs. Murphy doesn't know how much longer she will be on this earth although she's in fairly good health.
``The Bible says our days are numbered, but I don't know when I'll go. I guess when the Lord gets ready for me.''
+++++
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Sunday, May 30, 2004
Sunday May 30, 2004
Oldest Casey citizen celebrates 110th birthday
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
"LIBERTY - Lucy Murphy, the oldest person in Casey County, celebrated her 110th birthday Thursday.
"Mrs. Murphy was not honored with a large celebration this year as she had been in the past because of her health, however, she did have a cake with friends at Liberty Care Center, where she has resided the past year. She had been living with her daughter, Helen McDonald on Memory Lane.
"She received a plaque from the Casey County School Alumni Association for being the oldest living person to attend Casey County schools. Her daughter, Helen McDonald, accepted the plaque at a recent luncheon.
"Mrs. Murphy also got a letter from Williard Scott, who does birthday wishes on the NBC television Today Show.
"She does pretty well, but not as well as she was a couple of years ago," said Mrs. McDonald.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Mrs. Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day. She also talked then about her wedding in 1913.
"After the ceremony, her parents hosted a wedding supper for their daughter and new husband, George Welsey Murphy.
"We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper." Then the noise started. "About midnight we heard a gunfire. I was real scared." That was the beginning of the shivaree. "We had a good time."
"In the years that followed, the Murphys had 11 children - Myrtle, Sherwood, Edwin, Mattie, Sherman, Kenneth, Fred, James, Helen, Caude, Irene. Only four of the children, Sherman of Louisville, Edwin of Liberty, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Mrs. McDonald, are still living.
"Kenneth was killed in action in the Korean War. In memory of her son, Mrs. Murphy is a Gold Star Mother, and seldom misses a Memorial Day service where she is always recognized. Five of the Murphy sons served in the military.
"There are six generations of the Murphys including 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren living in Casey County and surrounding area."
+++++
Obituary
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Tuesday, November 2, 2004
"Lucy Murphy, Casey County's oldest resident, dies at 110
"LIBERTY - Casey County's oldest citizen - 110-year-old Lucy Jo Murphy - died Sunday at Liberty Care Center.
"Miss Lucy, as she was known by friends, observed her 110th birthday May 30 with friends at the center where she had lived about a year.
"Prior to that, she had lived most of her life on Memory Lane.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day.
"She also talked about her wedding day in 1913 when she married George Wesley "Doc" Murphy at her parents' house. After the wedding supper, friends began a shivaree at midnight that included gunfire which frightened her at first.
"The Murphys had 11 children, four of whom are still living. Five of the sons served in the military. After one son, Kenneth, was killed in action in the Korean War, Murphy was named a Gold Star Mother and rarely missed a Memorial Day service.
"Born May 27, 1894, in Casey County, she was the daughter of the late James and Lola Shelton Allen.
"She was a homemaker, a member of Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, and the widow of George Wesley "Doc" Murphy.
"Survivors include two daughters, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Helena McDonald of Liberty; two sons, Edwin Murphy of Liberty and Sherman Murphy of Louisville; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
"She was predeceased by seven children, Mattie, Sherwood, Kenneth, Fred, James, Claude and Irene.
"Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church by Clifton Cowan and Joey Murphy. Burial will be in Murphy Cemetery.
"Pallbearers will be grandchildren.
"Visitation is after 5 p.m. today at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home."
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY)
Life on Memory Lane
104-year-old Liberty woman recalls a century spent in same neighborhood
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
LIBERTY - Memory Lane is more than an address for 104-year-old Lucy Murphy. She has spent over a century within a mile of where she currently lives. It holds a life-time of memories for Mrs. Murphy, who is considered the oldest resident of the county.
``Everybody knows me,'' declared Mrs. Murphy, who is often called Ma Murphy or Aunt Lucy by her friends.
``She even gets mail to Ma Murphy,'' said her daughter, Helene McDonald, with whom she lives.
As the years go by, Mrs. Murphy's birthdays do not go unnoticed. She has gotten cards and letters from President Clinton, U.S. and state officials and sometimes greetings from TV personality Will Scott.
She likes the attention she gets, especially from her fellow church members and neighbors.
``I'm spoiled a whole lot,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``My neighbors have got me spoiled, but I like it. I'm proud to see anyone come by.
``They always want to kiss me. People at the church want to shake my hands and leave lipstick on me,'' she said with a smile.
Mrs. Murphy's youthful appearance apparently keeps her young and does not go unnoticed.
``People ask me what keeps me young, but I don't do nothing,'' she said. ``They tell me I'm pretty, and I look in the looking glass to see where it is.''
``My husband (George Wesley ``Doc'') always said `pretty is as pretty does.' He spoiled me, too.''
During her lifetime, Mrs. reared nine children, pieced hundreds of quilts, sewed for countless neighbors and has missed few church services at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, where she has been a faithful member most of her life. In June 1994, the church presented her with a plaque on her 100th birthday.
She only stopped quilting a few years ago after her hands became a little shaky.
Quilts stitched by Mrs. Murphy's hands have wound up all over the country. She's given each of her children four quilts and each of her 28 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren have her handiwork although she has not seen all of her descendants. They're scattered about in Kentucky and in other states.
She's sold few quilts; most have been given away. They were given as gifts or to someone who had lost their belongings in a fire or other disaster.
Mrs. Murphy has lived with her youngest daughter, Helene McDonald and her husband, Lonzie, for the past 14 years. She's pieced 27 quilt tops during those years.
Until she moved to her daughter's house, Mrs. Murphy lived at the family home in the Walnut Hill community. ``Then I got forgetful and couldn't hear well,'' she said. She is still sometimes forgetful and now she has hearing aides to help out with hearing.
She's not happy about walking with a cane, but admits it helps her get around better.
With time on her hands now, Mrs. Murphy enjoys reading the newspaper and likes to keeping on learning.
``She'd always wanted to see a computer,'' said Mrs. McDonald. ``We took her across the road to Murphy Gate to check one out. She enjoyed that.''
``I always try to learn something new everyday,'' said Mrs. Murphy.
She has not forgotten much either.
She remembers her wedding supper at her parents' house on the day of her wedding in 1913.
``We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper.'' Then the noise started.
``About midnight we heard gun fire. I was real scared.'' It was the beginning of the shivaree. Her husband got rode out on a rail.
``We had a big time,'' she said.
In the years that followed, the Murphy couple had 11 children. Two died in infancy. The others are: Myrtle Harne, Sherwood, Mattie Decker, Sherman, Fred, Edwin, Irvine, Kenneth, Claude and Helene McDonald.
Kenneth, one of the five Murphy sons who served in the military at same time, was killed in the Korean Conflict; James died young and Edwin died a few years ago.
When Mrs. Murphy was raising her children, she used a wash board to do laundry and cooked many meals for them on a four-cap wood stove.
Things got better after the Murphys were married a while and he began operating a sawmill. That's all he ever did, she said.
And she's seen the sawdust to prove it.
``I used a broom to get the dust off the floor,'' said Mrs. Murphy. ``He'd come in and shake the dust off his clothes onto the floor. Then we got a new vacuum cleaner.'' She still fussed at him about the dust.
``One day he said: `What do you think I got you a new sweeper for?' I said, of course, to sweep with but not to sweep up dust every day.''
Her husband died in 1954.
Regressing to her younger days, Mrs. Murphy remembers how she helped her father because her younger brother had not been born.
``I remember I was a little girl about 11 years old when Daddy used me as a boy. He'd put me on a horse and send me to a workshop in Phil to have saws sharpened.''
On one those trips, Mrs. Murphy got a glimpse of the first automobile in Casey County. ``It didn't have a steering wheel. It was guided with a metal rod, and about scared my horse to death.
``She (the horse) ran off with me and crossed a creek before a man caught the horse.'' She escaped without injury.
She began sewing for neighbors to help out the family after her father died at the age of 34, leaving five children.
``Mother had to raise the children and we chopped out corn for 40 cents a day. We were proud to get 40 cents a day.''
Mrs. Murphy attended the old Boyle one-room school, but she did not go much after her father died. ``I had to wash and chop out corn.''
Her career has been varied although she had never held a public job or worked much out of the home.
Besides making quilts and doing sewing, she's made floral arrangements from crepe paper that were used at funerals. This was in the time before florists. Sometimes she'd make two dozen bouquets for a funeral.
``I would like to make a bunch of those flowers again,'' she said. But crepe paper is hard to find these days.
Mrs. Murphy doesn't know how much longer she will be on this earth although she's in fairly good health.
``The Bible says our days are numbered, but I don't know when I'll go. I guess when the Lord gets ready for me.''
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"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Sunday, May 30, 2004
Sunday May 30, 2004
Oldest Casey citizen celebrates 110th birthday
By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer
"LIBERTY - Lucy Murphy, the oldest person in Casey County, celebrated her 110th birthday Thursday.
"Mrs. Murphy was not honored with a large celebration this year as she had been in the past because of her health, however, she did have a cake with friends at Liberty Care Center, where she has resided the past year. She had been living with her daughter, Helen McDonald on Memory Lane.
"She received a plaque from the Casey County School Alumni Association for being the oldest living person to attend Casey County schools. Her daughter, Helen McDonald, accepted the plaque at a recent luncheon.
"Mrs. Murphy also got a letter from Williard Scott, who does birthday wishes on the NBC television Today Show.
"She does pretty well, but not as well as she was a couple of years ago," said Mrs. McDonald.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Mrs. Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day. She also talked then about her wedding in 1913.
"After the ceremony, her parents hosted a wedding supper for their daughter and new husband, George Welsey Murphy.
"We married in the parlor of my mother's house. Several friends stayed for supper." Then the noise started. "About midnight we heard a gunfire. I was real scared." That was the beginning of the shivaree. "We had a good time."
"In the years that followed, the Murphys had 11 children - Myrtle, Sherwood, Edwin, Mattie, Sherman, Kenneth, Fred, James, Helen, Caude, Irene. Only four of the children, Sherman of Louisville, Edwin of Liberty, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Mrs. McDonald, are still living.
"Kenneth was killed in action in the Korean War. In memory of her son, Mrs. Murphy is a Gold Star Mother, and seldom misses a Memorial Day service where she is always recognized. Five of the Murphy sons served in the military.
"There are six generations of the Murphys including 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren living in Casey County and surrounding area."
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Obituary
"Advocate Messenger" (Danville, KY), Tuesday, November 2, 2004
"Lucy Murphy, Casey County's oldest resident, dies at 110
"LIBERTY - Casey County's oldest citizen - 110-year-old Lucy Jo Murphy - died Sunday at Liberty Care Center.
"Miss Lucy, as she was known by friends, observed her 110th birthday May 30 with friends at the center where she had lived about a year.
"Prior to that, she had lived most of her life on Memory Lane.
"During an interview on her 104th birthday, Murphy said she liked to learn something new each day.
"She also talked about her wedding day in 1913 when she married George Wesley "Doc" Murphy at her parents' house. After the wedding supper, friends began a shivaree at midnight that included gunfire which frightened her at first.
"The Murphys had 11 children, four of whom are still living. Five of the sons served in the military. After one son, Kenneth, was killed in action in the Korean War, Murphy was named a Gold Star Mother and rarely missed a Memorial Day service.
"Born May 27, 1894, in Casey County, she was the daughter of the late James and Lola Shelton Allen.
"She was a homemaker, a member of Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church, and the widow of George Wesley "Doc" Murphy.
"Survivors include two daughters, Myrtle Harmon of Danville and Helena McDonald of Liberty; two sons, Edwin Murphy of Liberty and Sherman Murphy of Louisville; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
"She was predeceased by seven children, Mattie, Sherwood, Kenneth, Fred, James, Claude and Irene.
"Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Walnut Hill Separate Baptist Church by Clifton Cowan and Joey Murphy. Burial will be in Murphy Cemetery.
"Pallbearers will be grandchildren.
"Visitation is after 5 p.m. today at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home."
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