Vernice Carolyn Murphy, 84, of Proctorville, Ohio, passed away at home surrounded by her family. She is now resting in the arms of Jesus. Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Robert Jones officiating. Burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. She was born July 16, 1941, in Huntington, a daughter of the late Andrew and Ethel Dennison Bates. She was a graduate of Barboursville High School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Larry Murphy; four sisters, Garnet Blake, Wilma Holley, Iva May Shaffer, and Esther Perry; four brothers, Melvin, Harless, Hurshell, and Andrew Bates; and one grandson, Tanner Murphy. She is survived by her two daughters, Sara and David Stewart of Proctorville, Ohio and Rebecca Gambrel and Greg Hester of Greenville, SC; two sons, Paul and Christy Murphy of Livingston, Louisiana and Mark and Monica Murphy of Cadiz, KY; one sister, Sue Hensley of Milton; two brothers, Cecil Bates and Ronnie Bates, both of Barboursville; grandchildren, Tristan Murphy, Kara Murphy, Jaelyn Murphy, Shaun Gambrel, Nick Gambrel, Tyler Davidson, Cheyene Davidson, Ellie Stewart, Luke Stewart, Andrew Simmons, Nathan Simmons, Shaide Moran, Joseph Salyers and Hunter Salyers; and great-grandchildren, Olivia Gambrel, Micah Gambrel, Noah Gambrel. She loved her family and had a strong faith in God. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
