Addie Helen Haynes Murphy, 88, departed this life peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 28, 2016. Visitation will be from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at McKibben & Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, followed by a graveside service in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grenada.
Helen was born on June 4, 1927, to Lona Dunlap Haynes and Harley Bedford Haynes at the family home in the Alva community. She attended school in Lexington, Mississippi until the unexpected death of her father when she was 13. She and her mother moved to Mathiston, Mississippi, where they lived with relatives, Edley and Myrtle Booth and their children, Mary Lynn (Kotz), Robert Henry and Jerry. It was in Mathiston that she met the love of her life, George Murphy. At the age of 15 she and George eloped and were married on January 20, 1943. After George was discharged from the army after World War II, they moved to Grenada, Mississippi, where they lived until 2014, when they moved to Madison, Mississippi. She and George were married for almost 72 years until George's passing on December 2, 2014. Their marriage was a true love story.
Helen lived a life of unselfish devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren, mother and step-father. When she was 25 her mother was paralyzed in a car accident. For the next 44 years she was her mother's primary care giver, while rearing two daughters and supporting her husband in his many charitable activities. Her greatest joy was the pleasure and love she gave to and received from her husband, two daughters, their spouses, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was extremely outgoing and represented all that is good in the world. She will be missed by all who knew her. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Grenada, the DAR, Eastern Star, the Green Thumb Garden Club and numerous bridge clubs for many years.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Lona Dunlap Haynes Lollar and Harley Bedford Haynes; her stepfather, James C. Lollar; and her husband, George Holmes Murphy. She is survived by two daughters, Jeannie LaRue Brinkley (Bill) and Martha Lynn Bailey (Ford) of Madison; three grandchildren, Kevin Bailey (Valerie), Meredith Bailey Scott (Brandon) and Mallory Murphy Bailey; and three great-grandchildren, Eliza Lynn Bailey, Clara Hawkins Bailey, and Henley Grace Scott.
The family would like to especially thank Susie and Mal Riddell, Rosemary Hyde, Carol Ann Hyde, and Patsy and W.A. Hayward for their longtime friendship and support, and Raviun Daniels, Ashley Monroe, Patricia Preston and Sheila Williams for the loving care they have provided Helen in recent months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Grenada, Mississippi, 450 Faith Drive, Grenada, MS 38901.