Norma Jean Van Bibber Murphy
Portsmouth-Norma Jean Van Bibber Murphy of Portsmouth, Ohio was surrounded by family as she stepped through heaven’s gates on December 30th, 2018. Jean was born March 2, 1931 to Carl & Goldie Thompson Van Bibber in Portsmouth, Ohio. She grew up in South Webster, Ohio before moving to Portsmouth, Ohio where she graduated from Portsmouth High School.
Jean was married to Norman Lynn Murphy in 1951. She and Norman resided in South Webster, Ohio where they raised their two sons, Randy (Ruth) Murphy of Wheelersburg, Ohio and Rick Murphy of Franklin Furnace, Ohio. She was affectionally called Nanny Jean by many and a very proud grandmother of five, Rhett (Dottie) Murphy of Concord, VA, Ryan (Kate) Murphy of Doylestown, PA, Ross (Jodie) Murphy of New Albany, Ohio, Jesse Murphy of (McDermott) and Heidi (Curtis) Miller of Rosemount, Ohio. Nanny Jean’s greatest joy in her last years was her great-grandchildren. She wasn’t able to see them often so she always asked to see photos and hear all about their activities. When the great-grandchildren did come to visit; Nanny Jean was always prepared with lots of surprises for each one, Braden Murphy, Hannah Murphy, Reese Murphy, Molly Murphy, Connor Murphy, Lila Murphy, Myles Murphy, Abi Miller, Ella Miller and Anna Miller.
Jean worked for the telephone company as an operator during the 1950s but soon moved to the insurance department at SOMC where she was employed for many years. She also was proud of writing a Social Event Column for the South Webster area that was published in the Scioto Voice during the 1970s. Jean was always very interested in genealogy spending hours at the Portsmouth Public Library gathering data.
Curtis Miller will officiate at a private celebration of Jean’s life which will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jean’s name be made to your local House of Worship or the Scioto County Hospice Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg, Ohio. Condolences may be made to the family at www.harrison.pyles.com
