Flocene Strickland Murphy

Flocene Strickland Murphy, 107, lived a long and full life, remaining strong and vibrant until the last few months of her life. She was a loving wife and mother, an artist, art teacher, and a lover of beauty. Her love of art was expressed in her paintings and in teaching art in Memphis from 1953 to 1975. Flocene was born in Water Valley, Mississippi, on July 15, 1908 to Luther Felix Strickland and Mary Belle Strickland. When about 12 years old, they moved to Memphis where she graduated from Southside High School in 1927. She worked her way through Tennessee State Teacher's College ( now University of Memphis) where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, President of the Teacher's Association, artist for the yearbook, and voted one of the school's "Best Girls". After retiring in 1975, she served as group leader in Community Fellowship Bible Study,and was active in Brooks League Museum of Art where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 1997. Many will remember her "Chalk Talks" for local churches, where she drew a scene from the Bible in fluorescent chalk while quoting scripture. Flocene was preceded in death by her husband, T. Velmer Murphy. She is survived by her two children, Donna Murphy Meeks ( Rev. Gerald Meeks Sr.) of Maumelle, Arkansas, and J. Michael Murphy (Sherry) of Memphis. Two grandchildren, Margie Meeks Lickert (Doug) and Gerald "Jed" Meeks (Laura), four great- grandchildren, Shelby Held, Connor Meeks, Bradshaw Held and Hannah Meeks, her brother Bill Strickland, and her sister June Hester. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis. There will be a private family service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of the donor's choice.