Obituary for Linnie Murphy
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:”
Linnie (affectionately known as Easter) Murphy, was born on April 12, 1925 to the union of Tom
Ross and Marie Malone Page (both parents preceded her in death).
Linnie confessed her hope in Christ at an early age. Until God called her home, she remained a
faithful member of New Home Baptist Church for more than 49 years under the leadership of Dr.
Mack McCollum. She faithfully served as an usher and on the Mother’s board.
Linnie was joined in holy matrimony to Exzell Gray Sr. and to this union two children were born. Sally
and Exzell Jr (who preceded her in death). Her grandson Carl Gray also preceded her in death. Later
she met and married the love of her life, Deacon Andrew Murphy (who preceded her in death).
Linnie was a longtime employee of Zenith until her retirement.
She always believed in living life to the fullest and she did just that! Easter didn’t believe in mourning,
but celebrated each and every chance she had. She was blessed to live nine and a half decades;
witnessing everything from the great depression to the first black president of the U.S.
Linnie enjoyed playing cards (for quarters), and watching her favorite basketball and baseball teams
on television.
Although she was blessed to birth two children naturally, Linnie (Easter) was a Bonus/Surrogate
mother and grandmother to many.
Linnie leaves to reflect her fondest memories: One daughter, Sally M. Rowan (who was by her side
until God called her home); two granddaughters, Donna Livingston (California) and Gwendolyn
“Della” McClinton (Larry McClinton); one grandson, Lenelle Gray; three great-granddaughters,
Nikita Thomas, Dominque Wells and Monique McClinton; one great-great-granddaughter, Kennedy
Palmer; one uncle, Ernest Johnson of (East St. Louis); one godson, Cliff Brown; one goddaughter,
Anita Hughes; bonus son, Bill Cain; several bonus grandchildren whom she loved dearly; and a host
of other relatives and friends.
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:”
Linnie (affectionately known as Easter) Murphy, was born on April 12, 1925 to the union of Tom
Ross and Marie Malone Page (both parents preceded her in death).
Linnie confessed her hope in Christ at an early age. Until God called her home, she remained a
faithful member of New Home Baptist Church for more than 49 years under the leadership of Dr.
Mack McCollum. She faithfully served as an usher and on the Mother’s board.
Linnie was joined in holy matrimony to Exzell Gray Sr. and to this union two children were born. Sally
and Exzell Jr (who preceded her in death). Her grandson Carl Gray also preceded her in death. Later
she met and married the love of her life, Deacon Andrew Murphy (who preceded her in death).
Linnie was a longtime employee of Zenith until her retirement.
She always believed in living life to the fullest and she did just that! Easter didn’t believe in mourning,
but celebrated each and every chance she had. She was blessed to live nine and a half decades;
witnessing everything from the great depression to the first black president of the U.S.
Linnie enjoyed playing cards (for quarters), and watching her favorite basketball and baseball teams
on television.
Although she was blessed to birth two children naturally, Linnie (Easter) was a Bonus/Surrogate
mother and grandmother to many.
Linnie leaves to reflect her fondest memories: One daughter, Sally M. Rowan (who was by her side
until God called her home); two granddaughters, Donna Livingston (California) and Gwendolyn
“Della” McClinton (Larry McClinton); one grandson, Lenelle Gray; three great-granddaughters,
Nikita Thomas, Dominque Wells and Monique McClinton; one great-great-granddaughter, Kennedy
Palmer; one uncle, Ernest Johnson of (East St. Louis); one godson, Cliff Brown; one goddaughter,
Anita Hughes; bonus son, Bill Cain; several bonus grandchildren whom she loved dearly; and a host
of other relatives and friends.