Obituary of Elsie Telfair Murphy

CARRBORO Elsie Telfair Murphy; b. July 7, 1916, in Greenwood, Leflore County, Mississippi; d. August 17, 2013, at Wynwood of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after a brief period of declining health. She was a native of Mississippi, but moved to North Carolina after her retirement from the Adams County, Mississippi, school district, to be nearer to her son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Anne, and granddaughters Laura and Rachel. Her entire professional life, from 1947 until 1986, was in the Mississippi public schools, first as a classroom teacher, then elementary school principal, and finally as Assistant Superintendent for Personnel in the Adams County school district. She was a strong advocate for public education, both in her home state and nationally, and served as a member and officer in state and national professional societies. In North Carolina, she made her home in Carrboro where she was pleased to act as surrogate grandmother to many of the children in her neighborhood. She kept up with them as they went through school, into college and beyond, and had her picture taken with three of them at her 97th birthday party. Elsie was a member of Carrboro United Methodist Church, serving for some years on its day care board. She regularly attended sevices and social functions at her church, and made many lasting friends there. She is survived by sons Charles, of Durham, NC; Robert of N. Olmstead, OH; daughters-in-law Anne and Jodi; grandchildren Laura, Kimberly, Robert, Rachel and Chad, and great grandson Ryan. Her death came as no surprise, but her final months were made much more bearable by the excellent care she received at Wynwood of Chapel Hill, and with the help of Duke Hospice. She did all she could to make the world a better place while she was here, and she will be missed. She had chosen to be cremated, and Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is in charge of final arrangements. No visitation or memorial service is scheduled. Memorial contributions may be made to Carrboro United Methodist Church, Ronald McDonald House, or the Augustine Literacy Project, based at Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. Online condolences may be made at www.walkersfuneralservice.com.