Leamon “Birmingham” Murphy, Sr.

Leamon “Birmingham” Murphy, Sr., was born on November 27, 1925, in Pollocksville, North Carolina, to the late Killis Murphy, Sr., and Annie Taylor Murphy. He was the fourth of nine children and was named after his grandfather, Leamon (Bill) Murphy. On March 29, 2023, God called Leamon to his heavenly home to join his wife, Lucille Hobbs Murphy; daughter, Mary Ann Downton; parents, Killis Murphy, Sr., and Annie Taylor Murphy; six brothers, Killis, Jr., Elmer, Arthur Lee, Floyd, Clyde, and Carl; and two sisters, Gertrude Hooks and Catherine Franks.
Leamon grew up in Pollocksville, North Carolina, and was raised by his grandfather, Leamon (Bill) Murphy. His education ended in the seventh grade so that he could assist his father with the family logging business.
Leamon at eighteen years old left Pollocksville, North Carolina, and pursued a career in construction. He met and married his loving wife, Lucille Hobbs, in 1949 while working in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1953, Leamon moved to Florence, Alabama, with his wife and two daughters (Mary Ann and Carrie Jean), where he was given the nickname “Birmingham” by neighbors and friends who mistook him for a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He relocated his family to Sheffield, Alabama, in 1959.
Leamon was hired by Reynolds Metal Company in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in 1957 and served as a Silicone Plant employee, until his retirement in 1987.
Leamon confessed a faith in Christ at a very early age. He was a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama, until he grew ill and was unable to attend.
Leamon was the rock of his family. Surviving and mourning his death are: his loving children, daughter, Carrie Jean Murphy, and son, Leamon “Lee” Murphy, Jr., both of Sheffield, Alabama; two brothers-in-law, Vincent Franks, Sr., of Pollocksville, North Carolina, and William Hobbs of Norcross, Georgia; five sisters-in- law, Catherine Murphy of Brooklyn, New York, Charity B. Murphy and Edna C. Murphy, both of Pollocksville, North Carolina, Gloria (Herbert) Brown of Pritchard, Alabama, Bridgette (Daniel) Flores of Aubrey, Texas; ten grandchildren, Jamitra (Michael) Hammond of Madison, Alabama, Kimberly (Greg) Hollis and Cadetra Murphy, both of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Carlos (LaSonya) Glenn of Smyrna, Tennessee, Sonyia Pritchard, Tonyia (Kelvin) Whiteside, Shalonda (Thyrow) Horrison, and Kinta Murphy, all of Sheffield, Alabama, and Ahsaki Murphy and Darrin Foster, both of Florence, Alabama; thirteen great-grandchildren; a special great-grandson, Kenyatta Turner of San Antonio, Texas; eleven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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