Roberta Louise Murphy

Roberta Louise Murphy died as she had lived: peacefully, with family nearby, on the morning of Dec. 30, 2024. 

Bobby was the only child of Gertrude (Newcomer) and Eldon Young, born on August 19, 1937 in Tucson, AZ. She accepted Jesus during church camp and was baptized at the Christian Church in Everest, KS. In later years, she traveled to Israel and renewed her baptism in the Jordan River. 

 Bobby had a lovely voice. At a young age, she sang her first solo at the Huron Auditorium during a community celebration. In high school, she took solos to district/state music contests. 

 Bobby graduated from Everest High School in 1955 and earned a BA in Music Education from the University of Kansas in 1960. She met Arthur G. Murphy, Jr., on an April Fool’s Day first date. They were married on August 14, 1960. Art and Bobby were lifelong proud Jayhawks. 

 She was a devoted wife and mother, who supported her four kids in countless ways: as room mother, den mother, Girl Scout leader, PTA president and band booster, to name a few. She had a T-shirt that read, "If A Woman's Place is in the Home, Why Am I Always in the Car?" 

 No one enjoyed being a grandmother more. Bobby cared for one of her new grandsons for several weeks in 2000 and later did the same for her triplet granddaughters. She attended every birthday, scout ceremony and graduation, as well any vocal recital, dance performance, school play and musical that included one her grandkids. 

 She was active in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority for over 60 years. As a member of the Preceptor Iota Chapter, she held the highest degree available, that of Torchbearer. 

 Bobby was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. She served for many years on the United Methodist Women's Board as the Social Action Coordinator. She studied with Ruth Circle. She sang in the choir and played the bells. 

She is survived by her children, Arthur Murphy, III; Julia Murphy (Mark Croxton); Catherine Lobash (Larry); and Susan Meehan (Joe); and her grandchildren: Brannon, Bryley, Brianna and Brandilynne Lobash; and Jordan, Arthur and Emily Meehan. She was preceded in death by her husband Art in 1983.