John Whitt Murphree
August 5, 1930 - August 13, 2020
JOHN'S OBITUARY
U.S. Veteran
John Whitt Murphree was called to take his seat at the table with his heavenly family on August 13, 2020, at the age of 90. Born on August 5, 1930, to the late Sim Roan Murphree and Vangie Murphree, nee Shields, John was raised alongside nine brothers and sisters in rural North Mississippi to have a strong work ethic, independence and a deep love for and sense of responsibility to take care of the family. He grew to be strong and steadfast yet gentle and caring.
John was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force, having enlisted in 1947 and been sent to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio before stints at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, and Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans. Upon receiving his first assignment, he traveled overseas for the first time on a large transport ship from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, to Germany, which was still under military law. John and his buddies were once almost apprehended by military police at a bar after curfew. In the Air Force, John worked as a dietician in both dining halls and hospitals, serving in Germany twice, the Netherlands, Thailand, and many stateside assignments.
John met the love of his life, future wife Fran, on the square at Bruce, Mississippi, when he and a buddy spotted Fran and her much taller friend walking around. John said to his buddy, “I’ll take the short one.” Not long after Fran graduated high school, John took Fran to be his bride on June 13, 1953. Their 61-year marriage and John’s military service took them to numerous countries, including Germany and Holland, as well as several states, including stops in Lancaster, California; Biloxi, Mississippi; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Blytheville, Arkansas; and Mobile, Alabama – where daughters Sherry and Pam were born – before they retired from the Air Force upon John’s honorable discharge in 1972. Sherry had a particularly harrowing experience while John taught her to drive on an airstrip in Biloxi when a plane swooped over and landed nearby, yet John remained cool, calm, and collected throughout the ordeal.
Using his military background, training, and experience, John continued to work in hospitals and other food service-related endeavors upon his return to civilian life. His service in the Air Force had twice taken him and his family to Columbus, Mississippi, and after a brief post-retirement stint in Pittsboro, Mississippi, they settled down for good in Columbus in 1976. For many years, John could be found in the mornings walking at the mall and occasionally at dances and social gatherings at local VFW posts. He never met a stranger and could and would talk to anybody, but he always seemed to find those who had served in the military or had some connection to military service, with which individuals he felt a special kinship and loved to trade “war stories.” During the holidays, he enjoyed getting out of the slide projector and sharing memories of the family’s time overseas and reviewing some of his favorite German words and phrases. The holidays also highlighted one of John’s passions: cooking and creating new recipes. His bread pudding with lemon sauce was a favorite.
An honorable man and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John spent every day of his life working and thinking about how to provide and care for his family. After ably raising two daughters with Fran, he stepped up as a father figure for his grandson, throwing footballs, building treehouses, and passing on life lessons. John was preceded in death by his parents Sim and Vangie Murphree; his siblings William Murphree, Charlotte Murphree, Jett Murphree, Mavis Murphree Brown, Marlena Murphree Bryan, Thomas Earl Murphree, James Edward Murphree, Winona Murphree, Bobbie Sue Murphree Harmon; and his wife Fran on August 30, 2014. He is survived by his daughters Sherry (and husband Johnny) Allen of Atlanta and Pam Murphree of Columbus, Mississippi; his grandson Chris (and wife Emily) Holleman of Nashville; and his great-grandchildren Carlisle, Eva and Boyce Holleman of Nashville. A graveside service was held at the veterans’ section of Memorial Gardens in Columbus on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Although John will be dearly missed, his family is comforted in the fact that God has reunited him with his heavenly family to share stories and love around the table for eternity.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
August 5, 1930 - August 13, 2020
JOHN'S OBITUARY
U.S. Veteran
John Whitt Murphree was called to take his seat at the table with his heavenly family on August 13, 2020, at the age of 90. Born on August 5, 1930, to the late Sim Roan Murphree and Vangie Murphree, nee Shields, John was raised alongside nine brothers and sisters in rural North Mississippi to have a strong work ethic, independence and a deep love for and sense of responsibility to take care of the family. He grew to be strong and steadfast yet gentle and caring.
John was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force, having enlisted in 1947 and been sent to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio before stints at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, and Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans. Upon receiving his first assignment, he traveled overseas for the first time on a large transport ship from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, to Germany, which was still under military law. John and his buddies were once almost apprehended by military police at a bar after curfew. In the Air Force, John worked as a dietician in both dining halls and hospitals, serving in Germany twice, the Netherlands, Thailand, and many stateside assignments.
John met the love of his life, future wife Fran, on the square at Bruce, Mississippi, when he and a buddy spotted Fran and her much taller friend walking around. John said to his buddy, “I’ll take the short one.” Not long after Fran graduated high school, John took Fran to be his bride on June 13, 1953. Their 61-year marriage and John’s military service took them to numerous countries, including Germany and Holland, as well as several states, including stops in Lancaster, California; Biloxi, Mississippi; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Blytheville, Arkansas; and Mobile, Alabama – where daughters Sherry and Pam were born – before they retired from the Air Force upon John’s honorable discharge in 1972. Sherry had a particularly harrowing experience while John taught her to drive on an airstrip in Biloxi when a plane swooped over and landed nearby, yet John remained cool, calm, and collected throughout the ordeal.
Using his military background, training, and experience, John continued to work in hospitals and other food service-related endeavors upon his return to civilian life. His service in the Air Force had twice taken him and his family to Columbus, Mississippi, and after a brief post-retirement stint in Pittsboro, Mississippi, they settled down for good in Columbus in 1976. For many years, John could be found in the mornings walking at the mall and occasionally at dances and social gatherings at local VFW posts. He never met a stranger and could and would talk to anybody, but he always seemed to find those who had served in the military or had some connection to military service, with which individuals he felt a special kinship and loved to trade “war stories.” During the holidays, he enjoyed getting out of the slide projector and sharing memories of the family’s time overseas and reviewing some of his favorite German words and phrases. The holidays also highlighted one of John’s passions: cooking and creating new recipes. His bread pudding with lemon sauce was a favorite.
An honorable man and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John spent every day of his life working and thinking about how to provide and care for his family. After ably raising two daughters with Fran, he stepped up as a father figure for his grandson, throwing footballs, building treehouses, and passing on life lessons. John was preceded in death by his parents Sim and Vangie Murphree; his siblings William Murphree, Charlotte Murphree, Jett Murphree, Mavis Murphree Brown, Marlena Murphree Bryan, Thomas Earl Murphree, James Edward Murphree, Winona Murphree, Bobbie Sue Murphree Harmon; and his wife Fran on August 30, 2014. He is survived by his daughters Sherry (and husband Johnny) Allen of Atlanta and Pam Murphree of Columbus, Mississippi; his grandson Chris (and wife Emily) Holleman of Nashville; and his great-grandchildren Carlisle, Eva and Boyce Holleman of Nashville. A graveside service was held at the veterans’ section of Memorial Gardens in Columbus on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Although John will be dearly missed, his family is comforted in the fact that God has reunited him with his heavenly family to share stories and love around the table for eternity.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
John Whitt Murphree
August 5, 1930 - August 13, 2020
JOHN'S OBITUARY
U.S. Veteran
John Whitt Murphree was called to take his seat at the table with his heavenly family on August 13, 2020, at the age of 90. Born on August 5, 1930, to the late Sim Roan Murphree and Vangie Murphree, nee Shields, John was raised alongside nine brothers and sisters in rural North Mississippi to have a strong work ethic, independence and a deep love for and sense of responsibility to take care of the family. He grew to be strong and steadfast yet gentle and caring.
John was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force, having enlisted in 1947 and been sent to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio before stints at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, and Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans. Upon receiving his first assignment, he traveled overseas for the first time on a large transport ship from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, to Germany, which was still under military law. John and his buddies were once almost apprehended by military police at a bar after curfew. In the Air Force, John worked as a dietician in both dining halls and hospitals, serving in Germany twice, the Netherlands, Thailand, and many stateside assignments.
John met the love of his life, future wife Fran, on the square at Bruce, Mississippi, when he and a buddy spotted Fran and her much taller friend walking around. John said to his buddy, “I’ll take the short one.” Not long after Fran graduated high school, John took Fran to be his bride on June 13, 1953. Their 61-year marriage and John’s military service took them to numerous countries, including Germany and Holland, as well as several states, including stops in Lancaster, California; Biloxi, Mississippi; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Blytheville, Arkansas; and Mobile, Alabama – where daughters Sherry and Pam were born – before they retired from the Air Force upon John’s honorable discharge in 1972. Sherry had a particularly harrowing experience while John taught her to drive on an airstrip in Biloxi when a plane swooped over and landed nearby, yet John remained cool, calm, and collected throughout the ordeal.
Using his military background, training, and experience, John continued to work in hospitals and other food service-related endeavors upon his return to civilian life. His service in the Air Force had twice taken him and his family to Columbus, Mississippi, and after a brief post-retirement stint in Pittsboro, Mississippi, they settled down for good in Columbus in 1976. For many years, John could be found in the mornings walking at the mall and occasionally at dances and social gatherings at local VFW posts. He never met a stranger and could and would talk to anybody, but he always seemed to find those who had served in the military or had some connection to military service, with which individuals he felt a special kinship and loved to trade “war stories.” During the holidays, he enjoyed getting out of the slide projector and sharing memories of the family’s time overseas and reviewing some of his favorite German words and phrases. The holidays also highlighted one of John’s passions: cooking and creating new recipes. His bread pudding with lemon sauce was a favorite.
An honorable man and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John spent every day of his life working and thinking about how to provide and care for his family. After ably raising two daughters with Fran, he stepped up as a father figure for his grandson, throwing footballs, building treehouses, and passing on life lessons. John was preceded in death by his parents Sim and Vangie Murphree; his siblings William Murphree, Charlotte Murphree, Jett Murphree, Mavis Murphree Brown, Marlena Murphree Bryan, Thomas Earl Murphree, James Edward Murphree, Winona Murphree, Bobbie Sue Murphree Harmon; and his wife Fran on August 30, 2014. He is survived by his daughters Sherry (and husband Johnny) Allen of Atlanta and Pam Murphree of Columbus, Mississippi; his grandson Chris (and wife Emily) Holleman of Nashville; and his great-grandchildren Carlisle, Eva and Boyce Holleman of Nashville. A graveside service was held at the veterans’ section of Memorial Gardens in Columbus on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Although John will be dearly missed, his family is comforted in the fact that God has reunited him with his heavenly family to share stories and love around the table for eternity.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
August 5, 1930 - August 13, 2020
JOHN'S OBITUARY
U.S. Veteran
John Whitt Murphree was called to take his seat at the table with his heavenly family on August 13, 2020, at the age of 90. Born on August 5, 1930, to the late Sim Roan Murphree and Vangie Murphree, nee Shields, John was raised alongside nine brothers and sisters in rural North Mississippi to have a strong work ethic, independence and a deep love for and sense of responsibility to take care of the family. He grew to be strong and steadfast yet gentle and caring.
John was a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force, having enlisted in 1947 and been sent to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio before stints at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, and Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans. Upon receiving his first assignment, he traveled overseas for the first time on a large transport ship from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, to Germany, which was still under military law. John and his buddies were once almost apprehended by military police at a bar after curfew. In the Air Force, John worked as a dietician in both dining halls and hospitals, serving in Germany twice, the Netherlands, Thailand, and many stateside assignments.
John met the love of his life, future wife Fran, on the square at Bruce, Mississippi, when he and a buddy spotted Fran and her much taller friend walking around. John said to his buddy, “I’ll take the short one.” Not long after Fran graduated high school, John took Fran to be his bride on June 13, 1953. Their 61-year marriage and John’s military service took them to numerous countries, including Germany and Holland, as well as several states, including stops in Lancaster, California; Biloxi, Mississippi; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Blytheville, Arkansas; and Mobile, Alabama – where daughters Sherry and Pam were born – before they retired from the Air Force upon John’s honorable discharge in 1972. Sherry had a particularly harrowing experience while John taught her to drive on an airstrip in Biloxi when a plane swooped over and landed nearby, yet John remained cool, calm, and collected throughout the ordeal.
Using his military background, training, and experience, John continued to work in hospitals and other food service-related endeavors upon his return to civilian life. His service in the Air Force had twice taken him and his family to Columbus, Mississippi, and after a brief post-retirement stint in Pittsboro, Mississippi, they settled down for good in Columbus in 1976. For many years, John could be found in the mornings walking at the mall and occasionally at dances and social gatherings at local VFW posts. He never met a stranger and could and would talk to anybody, but he always seemed to find those who had served in the military or had some connection to military service, with which individuals he felt a special kinship and loved to trade “war stories.” During the holidays, he enjoyed getting out of the slide projector and sharing memories of the family’s time overseas and reviewing some of his favorite German words and phrases. The holidays also highlighted one of John’s passions: cooking and creating new recipes. His bread pudding with lemon sauce was a favorite.
An honorable man and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, John spent every day of his life working and thinking about how to provide and care for his family. After ably raising two daughters with Fran, he stepped up as a father figure for his grandson, throwing footballs, building treehouses, and passing on life lessons. John was preceded in death by his parents Sim and Vangie Murphree; his siblings William Murphree, Charlotte Murphree, Jett Murphree, Mavis Murphree Brown, Marlena Murphree Bryan, Thomas Earl Murphree, James Edward Murphree, Winona Murphree, Bobbie Sue Murphree Harmon; and his wife Fran on August 30, 2014. He is survived by his daughters Sherry (and husband Johnny) Allen of Atlanta and Pam Murphree of Columbus, Mississippi; his grandson Chris (and wife Emily) Holleman of Nashville; and his great-grandchildren Carlisle, Eva and Boyce Holleman of Nashville. A graveside service was held at the veterans’ section of Memorial Gardens in Columbus on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Although John will be dearly missed, his family is comforted in the fact that God has reunited him with his heavenly family to share stories and love around the table for eternity.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
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