I wanted to share some family photos and my thoughts on celebrating my brother Mike life. He was Reverend Dr. Michael Murphy to many, but to family, he was simply Mike - these photos are more personal and depict the Mike the Murphy family knew. I have attempted to represent the truth of his life, as reflected as his brother for nearly 60 years and as the last Murphy along with my two sons, RayRay & Chris (and George IV) who are the only ones that will carry the Murphy name forward. Thank you for all of your love & support!

1. In Loving Memory
Michael Collins Murphy
Affectionately known as “Mike,” he was born
on June 21, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. He was
the second son of the union of George and
Leona Murphy.
Raised in the Englewood community during
his early years, Mike was baptized at St.
Raphael Catholic Church where he became an
altar boy. As a child, Mike served and loved
the lord. He attended De La Salle Institute.
Michael went on to pursue a BA degree from
De Paul University in Chicago.
As a young man, Mike worked as a bus-boy at
the Palmer House of Chicago, a truck driver
for the Chicago Public Library. He worked at
Provident Hospital as a TV service man. He
cleaned houses for his grandfather and his
godmother. He did not have to work hard to
charm family and friends as he was always a
sweet, considerate heart. He reached out to
everyone he met. Mike was inspired by his
faith in God, prayer, joyful sacrifice and a
loving concern for others.
July 21, 1952 – December 28, 2014

2. CELEBRATION OF LIFE
We celebrate a good and gentle man, a generous friend and teacher.
In memory of my brother, Mike, may we acknowledge and share both
our joy in the gift that his life was to us, and the pain that his passing
brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen
the sadness and remember forever the joy he brought to us all.
Mike was just 62 years old when he
passed away. Our mother and father
taught us that spiritual values must
be instilled as the springboard to
becoming a whole person in society
and that the basis to success in
anyone’s life is a strong-hold of
spirituality and love for God.
Mike was very close to his family and his friends. My brother may have meant
something to each and every one of you; personally, he was truly my big-brother.

3. Mike was so much more than those long
ago images I have from growing up with
him. He was a boy who grew into a man
with a zest for life and a love for all. He
loved baseball, music, reds beans and rice.
Mike's love for Cane River, Louisiana was his
passion. We knew Mike had an important
job. He was working to change the world.
Mike was a warm and friendly man who
made his mark in the world not with grand
gestures or fancy titles, but by the basic
goodness and generosity of his character, by
the quality of his involvement with his
fellow man, and how he brought out these
qualities in others.
St. Augustine Church and
Cemetery, founded by Augustin
Metoyer and originally the family
place of worship, has served the
Isle Brevelle community at
Melrose, Natchitoches Parish, LA,
since the early 1800's.

4. Mike acted on his commitment to
serve human-kind in his pursuit of
fairness, justice, and equality for all.
His leadership role and his
involvement in the civil rights
movement and as an advocate of
social justice advocate started as a
result of his father's example.
Let’s be thankful for all the
special moments that my
brother has left us. And with
that, I hope that my brother
will continue to live on within
our hearts and minds.

5. My life feels so empty right now. I miss
his kindness, his support and humor. I
hope that everyone will take the time
to think about all of the fond memories
they had with Mike. He may be gone
but his memory will live on forever.
We, who have loved him from the day
he was born, and watched the
remarkable man he became, now bid
him farewell. God bless you, Mike; we
love you and may you rest in peace.
There are things that we don't want to
happen, but have to accept -- things we
don't want to know, but have to learn
and people we can't live without, but
have to let go.

19. He was extremely proud
of his Creole Heritage.
With family
on
Cane River.

20. Murphy men crashing
YaYa Book Club meeting.

21. After graduating from DePaul
University he then attended Michigan
State University before enrolling in the
Chicago Theological Seminary, where
he earned a Masters of Divinity and a
Doctorate in Ministry.
In 1987, Mike founded the St.
Stephen’s Community Church in
Lansing, Michigan. During his time
there, he was also elected to the
Lansing City Council and in 2000 he
was elected to the Michigan State
Legislature, where he served three
terms.
In 2009, his calling led him
to Peoples Congregational
United Church of Christ in
Washington D.C.

22. He is survived by his daughter Rachel
and her daughter London, his step-
son Brandon Clark and his daughter
Danielle, his sister Leah and her son
Peter, his wife Charone and their
children Ellie, Ronen and Nadav, his
brother Ray, his wife Sharon and
their children Raymond and
Christopher, his niece Cherise, her
husband Pernell and their children
Michael, Niko, and Mecca, his
nephew George IV, special cousins
Marissa & TJ, god-sisters & brothers
and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his
mother Leona, father George Jr.,
brothers George III and William.

23. Leah & Ray wish to
express their sincere
gratitude and
appreciation for the
many acts of
kindness, prayers,
and kind words.
O Most Merciful JESUS, we consecrate ourselves today and
always to Your Most Sacred Heart. JESUS, meek and
humble of heart, make our hearts like Your Heart.