Wilburn Ray "Tiny" Murphree

Wilburn Ray Murphree, 83 and known to family and friends as “Tiny”, passed away on Friday, October 19 ^th , 2018 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Tiny was born on April 24 ^th , 1935 to Lonnie Murphree and Ethel Adams in Calhoun County.
Upon graduation from Bruce High School, Tiny began a lifetime working towards educating and serving others by earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Delta State University and a Masters Degree from The University of Mississippi. During his early professional years, he served in the United States Air Force, witnessing history being made firsthand during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Tiny has a local distinction of being the first ever football coach at Lafayette County High School. Other coaching posts included Bruce High, Ripley High, Water Valley High, and Charleston High. In addition to coaching, Tiny was also Principle at Bruce Middle School and at Vardaman High School, where he retired in 1992.
A member of Lighthouse Baptist Church, Tiny enjoyed Coon Hunting and Gardening, sharing his harvest with friends and family. That harvest defined his greatest joy, because it gave him an excuse to spend more time with loved ones. He will be missed by all of them.
Tiny is survived by Sons Edward Ray (Jeri Lynn) Murphree and Curtis Richard (Pam) Murphree, all of Oxford; Daughter Jennifer (James) Wilburn of Oxford; Sister Bonnie Cowsert of Randolph, MS; Grandchildren Justin Murphree, Brittany Murphree (Turner) Barnes, Hunter Murphree, John Murphree, Eli Murphree, Michaele (Bobby) Hopper, and Travis Wilburn; and Great-Grandchildren Walter T. Barnes and Parker Curtis Murphree.
There will be a visitation with the family this Sunday, October 21 ^st , 2018 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce, MS, located at 476 Highway 9 North. Immediately following visitation at 1:30 p.m., there will be a funeral service celebrating Tiny’s life in Parker Memorial Funeral Home’s Chapel with Brother Rex Ard and Brother Greg Bray officiating.
Tiny will be laid to rest in Providence Cemetery in Banner immediately after funeral services on Sunday Afternoon. Serving as Pallbearers will be Eli Murphree, Hunter Murphree, John Murphree, Justin Murphree, Sammy Pullim, and Travis Wilburn.
Tiny was preceded in death by his Mother and Father; Wife Nina Peeples Murphree; Son Alan David Murphree; Sister Nona Faye Clark; and Grandson Miles Murphree Barnes.
Parker Memorial Funeral Homes is honored to be entrusted by the family to assist in making arrangements honoring the life of Tiny Murphree. Online condolences on behalf of the family may be made at www.ParkerMemorialFuneralhomes.com