Rosanne Murphy

Rosanne Gravlee Murphy passed away on December 29, 2020, age 72, at her home in Hoover, Alabama, after suffering many years from adult onset cystic fibrosis. Preceding her in death were her parents Thomas Houston Gravlee and Nadine Baughan Gravlee. She leaves behind her husband of 45 years Kenneth Wayne Murphy of Hoover, Alabama; her son Michael Kenneth Murphy and daughter-in-law Kathryn Carden Murphy and their two sons Andrew and Sean of Hoover, Alabama; her son Dr. David Wayne Murphy and daughter-in-law Katherine Joy Murphy of Tampa, Florida; her sister Mary Elizabeth Smith and brother-in-law Dr. Wayne Smith of College Station, Texas and their daughters Amy Michelle Warren of Sugarland, Texas and Dr. Karen Smith-Cook of Houston, Texas and their families; and her cousins Nell Wilks Farrar of Summerville, Georgia and Robert Bradley “Bob” Wilks of Birmingham, Alabama.

Rosanne was born on October 21, 1948 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and raised on Hackberry Lane, a stone’s throw from the University of Alabama campus. She graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Alabama in 1971, where she was active in the Baptist Campus Ministry. Rosanne subsequently received a Masters in Educational Media from Auburn University in 1972 and worked for several years as a librarian in Opelika and Cullman. Rosanne and Ken married on August 16, 1975 and in 1976 moved to their longtime home in the Bluff Park neighborhood. They were blessed with the births of their two sons Michael and David in 1978 and 1980, respectively, and were active members of Liberty Church for many years.

Rosanne will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends for her devotion to the Lord and her family, her sweet spirit, concern for others, dry sense of humor, and her unexpected Minnie Pearl comedy routine.

A viewing is planned for 11:00 am and a service for 12:00 noon on January 5th at Liberty Church, 2732 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, Alabama, followed immediately by interment at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens, 2701 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, AL. For those unable to attend, the memorial service may be viewed via a livestream at libertychurch.cc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Grace Klein Community Food Rescue at www.gracekleincommunity.com. (205) 490-7516