Lola Murphy

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Lola Mary Murphy, 97, of Joplin, passed away peacefully December 14, 2016 in Joplin, Missouri surrounded by her family.

Lola was born in Joplin to Elmer and Mamie Houk on June 13, 1919. Lola had a wonderful childhood growing up on a dairy farm in Tipton Ford, she also lived in the Stapleton area. Except for a brief period during World War ll, when she lived in San Francisco, she was a lifelong resident of the Joplin area. She went into Lake Hill School in Sagmount and in 1937 graduated from Neosho High School. In 1937, she was the first class to attend Joplin Junior College which later became MSSU. During MSSU’s 75th anniversary, Lola was honored as being the only surviving cast member of the play “The Patsy”. Lola attended Cosmetology school and was a licensed beautician. She was a longtime member of the Saginaw Baptist Church.

Lola married the love of her life, Gene Murphy in Union, Missouri on August 12th, 1940. Together they were very devoted parents and raised their children their Tipton Ford dairy farm and in the Silver Creek area. Gene and Lola enjoyed many years of camping with friends and family. After retirement were snowbirds. She loved to set in the sun, fish, bowl, watch her beloved Chiefs and Cardinals, and loved to visit with whomever she met. She had a very special place in her heart for her great grandchildren.

Lola is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mamie Houk; husband, Gene Murphy; son, Michael Murphy; brother, Ray and “Elizabeth” Houk, sister Lena and “Joe” Narrell; Sister in-law Grace and “John” Surface; mother in law, Edna Johnson; and a nephew, Mark Compton.

Lola is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Beth and Richard Yeakey, Loma Linda, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; nieces, Patricia Compton and Sharon McChesney Hahn; nephews, David Narrell and Ron Houk; and a host of other family members and friends, too numerous to list, but always spoken fondly of.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday December 20, 2016, at 2:00 pm at Mason-Woodard Chapel with burial following the service at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Visitation will be 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday at the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.