Visiting Thelma Murphy
I admired Thelma's genealogical skills and memory. Despite her advanced
age, she had a great memory and could recall where the materials was located
in the library and which library had the answer to a family question. "She
was one of the best." Thelma is now deceased, but we both had a good
chuckle over me attending the wrong
Thelma Murphy funeral.
Murphy, Thelma J.
February 23, 2007
Thelma J. Murphy 85, Indianapolis, died Feb. 21, 2007. Services: 11 a.m.
Sat. Feb. 24 at University United Methodist Church with calling there from
9:30 a.m. Burial: Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements: Marvin L. Boatright
Funeral Home, 2163 N. Illinois St.
I decided to make a visitation.
As I drove into the parking lot of the Methodist Church I was thinking
about my olde friend Thelma Murphy. Her sparse obituary stated she was
with us 85 years and I thought she was 83, confusion happens. The hearse
was in position for unloading the casket and the funeral director and staff
were quickly moving in the wind and cold being careful not to slip on the
ice. I watched for awhile then took my freshly purchased flowers with vase,
straightened out my black tie one more time, and walked into the church
for the viewing. I noticed that just a few people had signed in, but it
was early, and soon more were arriving and a small line had formed to the
right of the casket. I think I was fifth in line and was talking with a
very well dressed black lady about Thelma’s skills as a genealogist. In
a voice that soundly strangely similar to Flip Wilson’s Geraldine, the
lady expressed her immense surprise regarding that aspect of Thelma’s life
experience. Soon I was standing, vase in hand, starring into the casket.
At that moment I realized that there was something else about Thelma Murphy
I didn’t know, she was black. Remaining fully composed I placed the flowers
in the stand and slowly exited the church.
When I got home I called Thelma. Turns out she’s 93! She said she had talked
to several friends who also thought she was dead. We had lots of giggles
about my mistaken identity. I remain thankful that it was an open casket
ceremony. Otherwise I would have been freezing at the cemetery.
And just a year later...
Murphy, Thelma M.
February 27, 2008
Thelma M. Murphy 94, of Indianapolis, passed away February 25, 2008. She
was born July 26, 1913. Thelma graduated from Shortridge High School in
1931. She retired from an insurance company as a payroll clerk for all
the eastern regions of the state. Thelma was a descendent from very early
pioneer settlers, local historians, and genealogists. She was a member
of Kentucky Historical Society. Visitation will be held Thursday, February
28 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel,
5377 E. Washington St. with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. She
is survived by her close family friends, Bob and Dora Asher and family;
and several cousins.
She will be missed.
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