Nita Murphy obit

Funeral services for Juanita Ann Blackmon Murphy, age 84 of Dubach, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, August 5, 2024 at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston with Elder William "Dub" Hatten officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.

Juanita "Nita", to her husband and friends, was born May 2, 1940 in Logansport, Louisiana to the union of Georgia Elizabeth Renfro Blackmon and Sampson Blackmon and departed this world August 2, 2024. She married her one true love, James Ray Murphy on July 11, 1958. Juanita spent several years working in a shirt factory sewing collars in uniforms when she was in her twenties. She and James Ray later moved to Ruston and she began working at Lincoln General Hospital as a Physical Therapist's Assistant. Juanita loved being in the public and never met a stranger. After 7 years of working at the hospital, she decided to stay home and enjoy her favorite hobbies which were gardening and planting her daylilies among other beautiful flowers and cooking for her family and friends. There was always a hot meal on the table. Her heart was full of love when it came to helping others whether it be feeding or clothing them. She loved to laugh and made every occasion fun and full of laughter. Juanita was a member of West Monroe Primitive Baptist Church. She loved her church family and loved cooking for Sunday lunches. She will be truly missed by all on those Sunday mornings with her bright eyes and beautiful smile that lit up any room. Juanita was blessed to have her best friend, Mary Wilkinson in her life as they loved to visit on the phone or at each other's house whether it be talking about flower planting or fishing stories.

Juanita and James Ray were blessed with two daughters, two granddaughters, two grandsons, and three great grandchildren whom she adored.

Juanita is survived by her sister, Billie June Gregory; her daughters, Carla (Mark) Hammons, and Bridgette Murphy; four grandchildren, Colby Gean, Jessie Gean, Lacy (husband Matt) McCullin, Christopher (wife Kelley) Richardson; three great grandchildren, Ruby McCullin, Nate McCullin, Ella Richardson and a host of many other family, friends, and three beloved pets that will miss her dearly.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents Georgia and Elder Sampson Blackmon; sisters LaRayne Bounds, Christine Dunlap; brothers, David Blackmon and Harlon Blackmon.

Serving as pallbearers are Colby Gean, Garrett Fradella, Brooks Schepp, Will Hatten, Josh Hodge, Tim Johnston and Chance Albritton.  Honorary pallbearers are Christopher Richardson, Mark Hammons and Andrew Lemoine.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM, Monday until time of service.