Edward Ray Murphree, 61, died on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at home with his family by his side.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Parker Funeral Home, Bruce, Miss., at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, with Jeff Nelson, Ronnie Cannon, and Bro. Fish Robinson officiating.  Parker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Eddie was born August 9, 1958, in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. to the late Nina Faye Peeples and Wilburn Ray “Tiny” Murphree of Banner, Miss. An honor graduate of Bruce High School, Eddie was a standout football quarterback and baseball star.  He attended Northwest Mississippi Community College on a football scholarship.

After completing his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi School of Education, Eddie began a career in Mississippi schools that spanned almost 40 years.  He taught and coached at Kosciusko and Pope School Systems before he joined Lafayette Middle School as Assistant Principal. Eddie was beloved by faculty, administrators, parents, and students alike.  Returning to school part-time while working at Lafayette, Eddie completed a Specialist Degree in School Administration and soon after was named Principal of Lafayette Middle School. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2013.

Eddie loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and close friends.  An exceptional dad, he was involved in every aspect of his sons’ lives. His greatest joy was going with Jeri to watch their sons play sports.  He also especially loved spending time at the hunting cabin with his three sons, his brother, and friends.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jeri Lynn King Murphree; and three sons,  Hunter, Eli, and John Murphree; a sister, Jennifer Murphree Wilburn, and her husband, Sammy; his brother, Ricky Murphree, and his wife, Pam; three aunts: Cathy Stone, Ann Cofer, and her husband, Bill, and Bonnie Cowsert; one uncle, Wayne Clark; two nieces, Brittany Barnes and Michaele Wilburn; two nephews, Justin Murphree and Travis Wilburn; two great nephews, Parker Murphree and Walt Barnes; and one great niece, Murphree Barnes.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, David Allen Murphree; and his grandparents:  Ethel and Curtis Murphree, and Nina and Edward Peeples, a minister who led Eddie to faith in Christ; and a great nephew, Miles Murphree Barnes.

The family requests that any memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, designated specifically for Liposcarcoma cancer research, at P. O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK  73123.