Retired Colonel Newell Rogers Murphy, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Vicksburg Ms. on April 17 2025. He was the son of Newell Rogers Murphy Sr and Orietta Scott Murphy.

Newell graduated from Saint Aloysius High School in Vicksburg. After high school,  he attended Hinds Junior college and worked in the Grill. After Hinds Jr, he attended Mississippi Southern College (now Southern Miss) where he received his bachelor's and a master's degree. He went on in later years to attend and receive master's degrees from the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University.

He proudly served with the U.S. Army Reserves 412th Engineer Command unit for over 30 years before retiring at the rank of Colonel. He also had a lifelong, distinguished career at Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg retiring in 1997 as the Chief of Mobility, a career and work family he cherished and spoke about fondly for many years after retirement.

Although Newell was raised Catholic, as an adult he and Althea joined the Hawkins United Methodist Church together and both became active members of the church family. Newell probably served on every committee Hawkins ever had. He was a member of the Becomers Sunday school class where he loved teaching Sunday School class and the Disciple Study classes.

He is survived by his sister, Pat Murphy Millett of Vicksburg, and his children Kitty Bridges of Southaven, Ms, Jody Murphy of Vicksburg Ms, Rogers "Doodle" Murphy of Vicksburg Ms, Carr Murphy Black (Gwain) of Brandon Ms.

Surviving grandchildren include Nick Bridges, Andi Clark, Virginia Quinones, Amy Bridges, Brayden Black, Mason Brown, Barrett Brown. Surviving special grandchildren are Hawkins Holloway, Sarah Beth Holloway, and Kennedy Claire Smith.

Newell had many special "extra" children in his lifetime that became like his own. Mark George of Sardis, Ms was one of those who he considered a son and Jim Murphy, his younger cousin, was also like a son to him.

He was happily married to his wife Althea Barrett Murphy for 52 years before her passing in 2014. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Deb Murphy Forbes, his special son Brett Holloway, and two grandchildren Meg Hughes and Ben Leonard.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 23rd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday April 24th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hawkins United Methodist Church in Vicksburg with services at 12:00 PM at the church. Services will be officiated by Susannah Carr, special scripture reading by Mitchel Hedgepeth and special music by Rob Gill and Tommy Miller. Burial will be immediately following the service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg Ms.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to Hawkins United Methodist Church or the Methodist Children's Home of Mississippi.

With special gratitude and appreciation, we thank Newell's special caregivers, Michelle Haynes, Melanie Arnold-Tillery, and his care team from ENHABIT Hospice.Thank you, Sherry Hambright, for keeping the house shipshape for over 30 years. Thank you also to friends who consistently stopped by to see him and friends who always lifted him in prayers near and far.

Pallbearers will be Rogers "Doodle" Murphy, Gwain Black, Nick Bridges, Mason Brown, Barrett Brown, Brayden Black, Jim Murphy, and Brett Clark.

Honorary Pallbearers include Martin Pace, Lee Musgrove, the Hawkins UMC Becomers Sunday School Class and the Patriot Guard Riders.

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