Mr. James Robert Murphy, age 92, of the Finney section of Honaker, Virginia, passed away Saturday (March 7, 2020) at his home. Born July 17, 1927 in Buchanan County, Virginia, he was a son of the late James B. and Gertrude Ball Murphy. A lifelong resident of the area, he was of the Baptist faith and a veteran of the United States Army. A retired coal miner, he was formerly employed by Clinchfield Coal Camp Branch and was a member of the UMWA Local #1452 District 28. He enjoyed fox hunting and getting together with others to play music. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Mae Hart Murphy, brother, Sammy Murphy, sister, Norma Stevens and her husband, Dwain, son-in-law, Abby Coleman, and step-grandson, Shane Coleman.
Survivors include one daughter, Patsy Murphy Coleman of Lebanon; one son, Mark Murphy and wife, Delores of Honaker; two grandchildren, Bradley Murphy and Tiffany Coleman and fiancé, Richard Ratliff; step-granddaughter, Jessica Roddy; step-great-grandchildren, Bryson Hilton, Briana Ervin, and Briona Coleman; one sister, Ollie Kiser; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Virginia with Rev. Stephen Musick officiating. Entombment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum at Lebanon, Virginia.
Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be his musician friends that joined in the Tuesday night jam sessions.
UMWA honors will be conducted by UMWA Sub 28 Chaplain Corp.
The family will receive friends at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6:00 PM Monday, where an evening song service will be conducted at 7:00 PM.