April 1, 1931 – Feb. 3, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for Randolph “Joe” Murphy, 82, of Natchez, who died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, at Select Specialist Hospital in Jackson, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Daughter of Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry McClain officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Bateaste Memorial Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Murphy was born April 1, 1931, in Adams County, the son of the Rev. David Murphy and Harriet Early Murphy. He was formerly employed by Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company. He was retired.

Mr. Murphy loved fishing and playing dominoes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene Hence Murphy; two sisters, Ruby Murphy and Emma Phillips; and two brothers, David Murphy Jr. and Isaac Murphy.

Survivors include seven children, Lee Oscar Dixon and wife, Ruby, of Woodville, Connie Murphy and fiancé, Terrell, Clint Dixon and fiancée, Shun, Barbara Dixon and lifelong companion, David Williams, Edgar Paxton, Sue McGuire, all of Natchez, and Bonita Cage of Vidalia; 11 stepchildren, Patricia Carroll and husband, Herman, Lucille Warfield and husband, Joseph, Rosetta Fleming and husband, Donald, Doretha Hunt and husband, Lonnie, Danielle, Trevis, Justin, Eric and Erica Graves and Alicia Thomas, all of Natchez, and Christine Dixon of McCalla, Ala.; one sister, Jessie B. Murphy Morgan of Natchez; three brothers, Willie James Murphy and wife, Lucille, and Columbus Murphy of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Henry L. Murphy and wife, Vonunzell, of Natchez; a special granddaughter, Wanda Dixon Ross; and a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.