Artha Lee Murphy was born on March 1, 1935, in Marvell, Arkansas.  She was the youngest of twenty one children born to the union of Arthur and Caroline Moore Person.

She received her schooling in the public schools of Marvell, Arkansas.  Artha accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age at the Midway Baptist Church of Marvell, Arkansas.  After moving her residency to Hot Springs, Arkansas she united with the Union Baptist Church.  She was a very active Sunday School Teacher.

She was employed for 24 years at the Qaupaw Technical Insecure as the secretary to the director of instruction.   She received a 20 year certificate of recognition form the State Department of Education.  She served in various capacities at the school including receptionist, testing of new enrollees, veterans' officer for Quapaw, financial aid secretary, program billing and VICA accounts manager.  She began her career July 1, 1973, and retired in July of 1997.

Artha had four daughters, Sharon, Linda (who preceded her in death), Caroline, and Lorna).  After retiring she relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 1998.  She united with the Friendship Baptist Church in March 1998, under the pastorage of Manuel L. Dillingham.  She remained an active member of Friendship until her son-in-law, Marvin began to pastor New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 2007.  Artha could always be found near her Bible.  If you did not find the Word of God in her hand you found it in her heart.  Artha was lovingly referred to by those who knew her best as "Mother."

The book of life was closed, and she left her earthly home for her heavenly home on Monday, May 13, 2019, at 9:25 P.M.  She made the transition at her eldest daughter's home surrounded by loved ones.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Sharon Tigner (Marvin), Caroline Murphy and Lorna Murphy; grandchildren, Nicole Tigner, Steven Tigner, Shelven Marshall, Anthony Marshall, Niesha Cuningkin, Stephanie Marshal, Stephan Marshall, Wychane Randle, Jaquan Ganaway, Shahita Todd (Christopher), Anthony Ford, Lecresia White (Torey), Antramon Ford, Miriam Ford and Mariah Ford and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her daughter Linda Marshall, her grandchildren Lantherick Givens and Jordan Tigner.

Services for Mrs. Murphy were held Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Fellowship Baptist Church.  Burial Forest Hill Cemetery.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.