Murphey, Vera

Vera Murphey

Services: Have been held.

Dr. Vera E. Murphey, 85, of Portales, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.

She was born on Nov. 5, 1919, in O’Donnell, Texas, to John and Lydia Randle.

She graduated from Portales High School in 1937. She married Paul B. Murphey on May 24, 1941, in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Eastern New Mexico Junior College (now ENMU) in 1939, and received a bachelor of science degree from New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) in 1941. She moved to Portales in 1951.

She taught home economics at Portales Junior High School from 1955-1959 and joined the ENMU home economics department in the fall of 1959. She received a master’s degree from ENMU, and was awarded a doctorate of education from Oklahoma State University in 1968. She was named chairman of the ENMU department of economics and held that position until her retirement in 1979.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, John, Alvin, and Grady Randle.

Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Pattie Donovan of Pueblo, Colo.; a son, Mike Murphey of Spokane, Wash.; a niece, Carolyn Brown of Phoenix; two brothers, George Randle of Placitas, and Walter Randle of Durango, Colo.; four grandchildren, Bryan and Patrick Murphey, both of Spokane, Wash., Erin Donovan of York, Pa., and Molly Donovan of Durham, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Harry Riser will officiate the services.

Burial will be at the Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Bill Wood, Al Bettina, Bill Dalley, Walter “Cotton” Clark, Vern Witten and Walter Randle.

Honorary pallbearers are Morris Wood, Jack Carr, Herbert LeMay and Farrell Odom.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Eastern Foundation, ENMU, Portales, NM 88130.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.