On Saturday, January 25, 2020, Albert Duncan Murphy, Sr., of Clinton, MS, a loving husband and father, passed away suddenly at the VA hospital in Jackson, MS after a brief illness. He was 86 years old.

A visitation & service will be held at the Wright and Ferguson funeral home in Clinton, MS. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, January 29, 2020 from 5:00p.m. - 7:00 pm. On Thursday, visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with a service following at 11:00 am. Reverend Marshall Stokes officiating. He will be interred at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City.

Albert was born on January 8, 1934, in Yazoo County, MS. to Tommy Terry and Pearlie Mae (Hitchcock) Murphy. After graduating from Cleveland High School in DeKalb, MS in 1952, he joined the US Navy, stationed 1st in San Diego, CA then Kodiak, AK during the Korean conflict. Following his years in the Navy, he pursued a college degree at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. While attending Anderson College, he was involved in various activities including the Anderson basketball and baseball teams. Graduating with a degree in Physical Education, he began his teaching career in Houston, Texas before moving back to his home state of MS. After a brief time in Gulfport, he returned with his young family to the Jackson area where he taught in the Jackson Public School system for the next 26 years, retiring in 1990. He was a coach for over 10 years at Central High School and later coached and taught at several other Jackson Public schools including Forest Hill HS, Hardy Jr. High and Provine HS.
Following the loss of his parents at an early age, Albert found solace in the love and support of Floyd and Jeanette Sligh. This relationship led him to become a man of faith deeply committed to the life of the church. He was an active member of every congregation to which he belonged during his life. While serving faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and member of various boards, he also enjoyed serving as chef and sometimes caterer for church events. Possibly the only thing Albert loved more than being outdoors – whether hunting, fishing or gardening – was giving the fruits of those activities he loved so much to others; giving them away or preparing meals from them for others to enjoy. It was a real passion and gave him a purpose that benefited the lives of all those fortunate enough to know him.
Most recently, he was a member of the Old Towne Community Church in Madison, MS.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: sisters Edna, Opal, Gladys, Audrey and Clara; and brother James, He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Frances Mae (Upchurch) Murphy: son, Albert Duncan (Rusty), Jr. of Anchorage, AK; son - Robert Terry of Melrose, FL; son - Phillip Neal of Lake Wales, FL; daughter -Jean Lynette Lothian of Homer, AK and son - Mark David of Clinton, MS. He is also survived by six grand-children and five great grand-children.

"And I'll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown." --George Bennard, 1912