Radford Earl Murphy

Mr. Radford Earl Murphy, age 86, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022 following an extended illness.

Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Belmont Baptist Church Cemetery. Reverend Bill Compton will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Little & Davenport Funeral Home in Gainesville, Georgia.

Mr. Murphy loved life and loved people. He was a loving husband, Daddy, and granddaddy as well as a humorous, caring neighbor and friend to all who knew him. He always felt there was something to do or someone to help. He worked for the Georgia Poultry Laboratory for 61 years and fully retired in 2015. He was an active member of Belmont Baptist Church, Gainesville GA where he served as a deacon for many years. He loved singing solos and singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, conducting bible study, working on committees, and working with the children with their arts and crafts during vacation bible school.

Mr. Murphy was uniquely talented to fix and build things. For years he managed all his home and auto repairs and would help neighbors with their repairs as well. His talent for construction was evident at an early age through the assembling of models and building wooden toys with a neighborhood friend. As a young man, he built a home for his parents, constructed buildings on his property, and added rooms to his house. His favorite hobby was working in his workshop building furniture to use and sell. For several years, he sold his furniture at crafts shows in Georgia where people from all around would attend. He was happy to ship his furniture to those attending from out of town. It gave him great joy to know that pieces of his furniture were not only in the homes of his family and friends in Georgia but in the homes of people all over the United States.

Mr. Murphy was born April 25,1935 in Hoschton, Georgia, the son of the late Henry Allen Murphy and Mettie (Poole) Murphy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mildred (Venable) Murphy, sister, Regina (Murphy) Williams; father & mother-in-law Okie and Lottie Venable, Jefferson, GA; brother-in-law S/SGT Okie Venable, Jr., Jefferson, GA; brother & sister-in law George and Frances Venable, Athens, GA; sister-in-law Erene Dell Venable, Jefferson, GA, brother & sister-in-law Charles and Betty Jo (Venable) Bowden; brother-in-law Cecil Venable, Jefferson, GA; niece Jolynn (Venable) Farley, Athens, GA, Dottie (Bowden) Fowler, Athens, GA.

He is survived by daughter, Pam Grant of Commerce, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Randall Smith of Hoschton, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Misty Murphy of Gainesville, GA; grandson and granddaughter, T.J. and Sydnee Murphy of Gainesville, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Renelda and Carroll Gatch of Grand Island, FL; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

The family wishes to Thank all the people of the Belmont Community as well as all the extended family and friends that routinely visited, called, and/or sent cards to Daddy while he was at Morningside, now Oaks at Gainesville, Assisted Living. Your continued show of love and care meant so such to him and to us after he made the huge decision to leave his beloved home and community and move to assisted living in 2019.

The family also wishes to extend a special Thank You to all the staff and residents at Morningside/Oaks at Gainesville, both past and present, for the care, love, and support you provided Radford during his stay. You all are The Best! He loved you All and we do to! You made his last three years so much fun and enjoyable. The care given by Kindred Hospice over the past months has been invaluable and greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Belmont Baptist Church Building Fund 635 Belmont Highway Gainesville, GA 30507 or to the Oaks at Gainesville, 2435 Limestone Pkwy, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.