Murphy - Mary Key - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Once again do we hear the sad, significant sentence whispered though our community, “She is dead.” Once again are we reminded that the pulsations of our hearts are but “muffled drum beats,” tapping off life’s onward steps toward the grave. Once again God’s whispered warning is heard close to our ear, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Once again stand we upon the verge of that strange, silent country into whose marvels and mysteries we enter by the door of the grave. Often have these reflections been thus stirred in the days that are gone; and over and over and over again will they come in the days that are yet to be. To some of us, yes, to many of us, are these reflections especially vivid and tearful now, because when it was said to us, “She is dead,” it meant that our beloved friend, our faithful sister in Jesus, our co-laborer in the work of the Lord, Mrs. Mary Jane Murphy, had left us forever.

Mrs. Murphy was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, March 8, 1848. Her maiden name was Mary Jane Key, daughter of William and Nancy Key, prominent and well to do citizens of Cumberland County. She died May 23, 1900, at her home, on West Wabash Avenue, aged 52 years, 2 months, and 15 days.

This morning at 9 o’clock at her late home, the funeral service will be held and from there she will be buried in Oak Hill.

After an illness that continued through more than three weeks, she peacefully sank into a sleep that was as serene and restful and beautiful as if she were but going to repose for a little while that she might then be ready for another of her busy, beautiful days. And the picture of rest presented there will linger long with those who witnessed it; while the memory of the sobs and tears of the ones whose hearts were nearly broken, will be forgotten in the sweeter memory of the sympathetic and loving prayer that was offered at that freshly broken family altar.

For her husband, that patriotic, brave, old soldier, and for her only boy, the idol of her heart, a large circle of friends have words of loving sympathy and prayers that are earnest and true.

The funeral service will be conducted by Dr. Wallace Tharp, pastor of the Christian Church, of which Mrs. Murphy was a devoted and faithful member. He will be assisted by Revs. W. H. Kerr, A. B. Cunningham, and Rev. Plunkett. Friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral service. – thanks so much to “S” for all her great obit work on this site