Gail Tucker Murphy

Gail Tucker Murphy, age 76, of Sandersville passed on to new life on August 14, 2022.  She was preceded by her father Mackiness Reese Tucker and her mother Elah Holliday Tucker. Her husband of 55 years, William Franklin Murphy, her son John Benjamin Murphy, her daughter Elah Elizabeth Murphy, her son-in-law Timothy James Eynon Jones will remember her the rest of their days for the love she showed them in unforgettable kindness, kisses and hugs. Gail’s enchanting warmth and wit were blessings to everyone who knew from her growing up in Sandersville to her student days in Athens to her many years of service to the Washington County community as a steward of the arts and letters and an upholder of the Christian faith.  She excelled as a student in the Washington County schools and at the University of Georgia, where she majored in English and was a member of academic honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa, the Mortar Board, and the Z Club.  In addition, she served in the UGA Student Senate and as President of the UGA Chapter of the Delta, Delta, Delta sorority.  After graduation, she worked to foster educational opportunities for women through the P. E. O. Sisterhood. Upon returning to Sandersville, she did tireless work on behalf of libraries through long-term membership in the Transylvania Club.  She educated, inspired, and encouraged countless local students as a substitute teacher and volunteer advisor for literary and theatrical programs at Brentwood School.  She was a long-time member and parish leader of Grace Episcopal Church, serving on the Mission Council and making sure every Saturday that the program for Sunday morning’s service was the best it could be.  Throughout it all, she was “a little sweet one” to use just one of dozens of affectionate terms that were used to describe her by the great many people by whom she was and will always be loved.

A memorial service for Mrs. Murphy will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 20 at Grace Episcopal Church. Father Steve Clifton will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be made to Grace Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 771, Sandersville, Georgia 31082 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148 or Oasis Animal Shelter, 44881 U. S. Highway 20, Oberlin, Ohio 44074.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.  Condolence messages may be sent to www.mayaandsmithfuneraldirectors.com