Vernice Carolyn Murphy, 84, of Proctorville, Ohio, passed away at home surrounded by her family. She is now resting in the arms of Jesus. Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Robert Jones officiating. Burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. She was born July 16, 1941, in Huntington, a daughter of the late Andrew and Ethel Dennison Bates. She was a graduate of Barboursville High School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Larry Murphy; four sisters, Garnet Blake, Wilma Holley, Iva May Shaffer, and Esther Perry; four brothers, Melvin, Harless, Hurshell, and Andrew Bates; and one grandson, Tanner Murphy. She is survived by her two daughters, Sara and David Stewart of Proctorville, Ohio and Rebecca Gambrel and Greg Hester of Greenville, SC; two sons, Paul and Christy Murphy of Livingston, Louisiana and Mark and Monica Murphy of Cadiz, KY; one sister, Sue Hensley of Milton; two brothers, Cecil Bates and Ronnie Bates, both of Barboursville; grandchildren, Tristan Murphy, Kara Murphy, Jaelyn Murphy, Shaun Gambrel (Katie), Nick Gambrel (Colleen), Tyler Davidson, Cheyene Davidson, Ellie Stewart, Luke Stewart, Andrew Simmons, Nathan Simmons, Shaide Moran, Joseph Salyers and Hunter Salyers; and great-grandchildren, Olivia Gambrel, Micah Gambrel, Noah Gambrel. She loved her family and had a strong faith in God. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
