Randolph Murphy

Dr. Randolph Murphy, 101, a true Southern gentleman, passed away February 7, 2015. Dr. Murphy was a retired psychiatrist and resident of Little Rock. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Hendrix College in Conway and ten years later, went back to college and completed his medical degree at the University of Arkansas Medical School. He practiced family medicine, taught at UAMS and practiced psychiatry at the Arkansas State Hospital in Little Rock. Dr. Murphy was a 20 plus years volunteer for the Heifer Project, helping prepare resource materials for shipment and writing articles about Heifer Project, taking photographs of volunteer activities for their local newspapers. He received numerous awards for his work with the Heifer Project, including the 1987 Central Region Volunteer of the Year Award, its Leadership, Service and Philanthropy award, and the 1993 Golden Ark Award for sponsoring the film, "Legacy for Efrain." He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Heifer International Foundation, and in 1994, established the Dr. Randolph Murphy Endowment. Dr. Murphy was a longtime member of Second Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and was a member of the Stephens Ministry. He was an associate member of his wife's church, Highland Valley United Methodist. He is survived by his wife, Jewell Mainard Murphy; daughter, Lucie Belle Giller of El Dorado; sons, David Mainard (Kara) of Little Rock and Gail Mainard (Kathy) of Cabot; brother, William Murphy (Pat) of Akin, South Carolina; granddaughters, Mary Anne Moore (Wayne) and Amy Heyman (Steve); six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jett and Nannie Belle Murphy, daughter, Kay Murphy, brother, Ralph Murphy and his first wife, Carmen Murphy. Services will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 2 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., officiated by Dr. Karen Akin and Rev. Wade Shownes, followed by interment at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, Highland Valley United Methodist Church, or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501) 224-2200. Dr. Murphy's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.