Dorothy Gilmer Murphy

A private family graveside service for Dorothy Gilmer Murphy, 92, will be held Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. at Franklin Memory Gardens with the Rev. Bo Lloyd officiating.

Because of the outbreak of COVID-19, the family is requesting that relatives and friends pause during this time to memorialize Mrs. Murphy in thanksgiving and praise for her life here on earth.

Mrs. Murphy died peacefully Nov. 21 at Athens Limestone Hospital with her children and their spouses by her side. She was participating in rehabilitation from an illness at Limestone Senior Care and Rehabilitation in hopes to return to her home at Morningside Assisted Living in Cullman, where she had been living the past two years.

Mrs. Murphy was preceded in death by her husband, L.A. Murphy; her parents, Lynn and Ollie Gilmer; her brother, Willis Gilmer; and her sister Adine Gilmer Lee, as well as countless other family members and friends.

Mrs. Murphy was born in Lamar County Dec. 19, 1927. She graduated from high school in Sulligent and attended Auburn University, where she earned a degree in home economics.

After her marriage to L.A. Murphy, she returned to north Alabama and began a long-time teaching career where she touched the lives of hundreds of students, teachers, and families. She will forever be remembered for her kindness to her students and love of her profession.

A long-time resident of Russellville, Mrs. Murphy devoted her life to raising her three children while balancing a career teaching home economics at Russellville High School and participating in countless clubs and civic organizations. She was selected as the Alabama Home Economics Teacher of the Year and served in many leadership positions for the Alabama Future Homemakers of America. She was also a member of Cultura Garden Club, Book Lovers Club, Friday Bridge Club and Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Honorary.

Mrs. Murphy was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend to everyone she met, and her strong Christian values were evident by the life she lived. She was a long-time member of Russellville First United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served her Lord through her prayers, presence and gifts.

She is survived by her children, Malinda Windham (Greg), Tom Murphy (Kris), Alan Murphy (Kim); six grandchildren, Andrew Windham, Jason Windham, Beth Windham Collins, Andrew Murphy, William Murphy and Thomas Lynn Murphy; 12 great-grandchildren; and niece Gayle McAlister.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in memory of Mrs. Murphy. Donations may be made to Dot Murphy Scholarship, ℅ Russellville High School, 1865 Waterloo Road, Russellville, AL 35653, Att: Natalie Bendall. Checks should be made payable to the Russellville Educational Foundation.