Joyce Steedly Murphy

Joyce Steedly Murphy, of Charleston, SC, went home to be with the Lord on August 9, 2017. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 11, 2017 at J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2017 in First Baptist Church, 48 Meeting Street, at 1:00 p.m.

Born March 21, 1932 in Charleston, SC, Joyce was the daughter of Wilbur H. Steedly and Annie Laurie Steedly. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-two years, W. D. Murphy, Jr., and her three children, W. Dean Murphy, III, Keith H. Murphy and Kerry Murphy. Also by Robin K. Murphy, Kelsey Niday, Haleigh Murphy, Kelli Niday, Lydia Niday, Nixon Niday, Sailor Murphy, Jennene S. Allen, Joseph J. Allen, Alissa Stribling (Charles), Melanie Conollee (Lee), and others.

As a child Joyce was first a member of Hampton Park Baptist Church and later became a member of First Baptist Church Charleston where she was involved as a Sunday School teacher and served the membership in numerous ways. She graduated in the last class of Memminger High School in 1950, attended Furman where she participated in the Furman Singers and was Bonhomie Queen, graduating in 1953. She obtained a Masters Degree from The Citadel. She taught at Chicora School and later at then First Baptist Church School.

Joyce was a member of the Garden Club of SC, the East Low Country District, and served as ELCD Director from 1989-1991; She was a member of the Council of Garden Clubs of Greater Charleston where she served as President from 1985-1987. She recently served as Chaplain and Sunshine Chairman. She is a member of the Council Hall of Fame. Every year since 1979 she hosted the CGCGC Holliday Coffee at her home for garden club members to drop off wreaths, trees and stuffed animals for patients at MUSC. She was also Emeritus Master Judge for flower shows and a member of the Lake Sandhurst Club.

Above all else Joyce was a devoted follower of the Lord, Jesus Christ, a loving wife to her husband, a wonderful, caring, kind mother and a true friend to those many people who knew and loved her. To all of her many friends, know that she loved you too. A special thanks to Katie, Becky and John of Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church (Regeneration Fund), 48 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401 or Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.