Joseph Murphy

Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. 85, of Sherwood passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2008. He was born March 29, 1923 in Newark, Arkansas to Joseph C. and Minnie Mae Stiles Murphy.
He was a U.S. Army veteran during World War II and a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock. Mr. Murphy was in the nursery and landscaping business for more than 50 years. He owned and operated Arkansas Nurseries and Gardens, Arkansas Florist, Arkansas Landscape Company and the Joe Murphy Company. He was a long-time member and officer of the American Association of Nurserymen, the Arkansas Nurserymen's Association and was instrumental in founding the Arkansas Certified Nurserymen Program. As a wholesale distributor of nursery and landscape products, he founded the "One Stop" Garden centers program for small nursery businesses across the state. He wrote a gardening column for 2 years entitled "At The Garden Gate" and also served many years on the Arkansas State Plant Board.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Virgie Lee Delaney Murphy; son, Joseph C. Murphy III and wife, Marian; daughter, Linda Murphy Norton and husband, Dr. George Norton; grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Norton, Andrew Norton, and Joseph C. Murphy IV; one great grandson, Elijah Cael McMillan; two step grandsons, John and Frank Lenkerd; and sister, Bette Nadean Worthington and husband, Rodney. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Valerie Kuehnert and Emma Jean Hubata.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 4106 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116.
Memorial services will be held 10:00 A.M., Monday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church with Father Keith A. Gentry officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., Sunday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.