Irene Murphy

.Irene Jones came into this world on August 18, 1929, in New York City. She was the fourth of nine children born to the union of Tina Vaughn and Joseph Jones. Both of her parents were originally from a small town in Barbados, West Indies, but Irene and her siblings were born and raised in Harlem. She had three sisters and five brothers. As the family grew, they all eventually moved to the Bronx, where they lived a modest lifestyle in an apartment.

Irene was a kind spirit. She adored her parents. Growing up she was a help in the kitchen to her tireless mother, a homemaker, who catered to each one of her nine children. She liked to sew whatever she could for the household, including clothes and window dressings. She also played hymns on the piano to everyone’s enjoyment. Irene was especially close to her father and loved spending as much time as she could with him. She cherished going to church with her father, and she was also his assistant in an important church association that he co-organized.

Irene worked as a bookkeeper, which at first kept her employed in the garment district in lower Manhattan for many years before becoming an office manager for a contracting company. She also kept financial books for her brother’s business. She was eager to help her siblings with whatever they needed. Irene had a bold, yet friendly personality; she was also savvy and would never let anyone take advantage of her or her family.

Irene was introduced to a dapper young man named Leon Murphy, who was visiting her home on one occasion. He was a friend of a friend of her cousin. And like her parents, Leon was a Bajan. That was a plus as far as her father was concerned, but Irene was not smitten at first and Leon had to earn her affection. After courting for a while, they were married in 1953. To this union three children were born: Karen, Seibert, Kendell.

The Murphy family along with Irene’s mother moved to Queens after 11 years of living in the Bronx. Her mother, a widow, was seriously ill and needed to be cared for. They enjoyed raising their children in a suburban lifestyle. Irene was a big believer in education and encouraged her children to get college degrees. Irene loved her family and was a giving, generous person. She was certainly a devoted wife and mother, and even though she was a private person, she made sure that her home was always inviting to visitors. She was a great cook, (as all of her sisters) and Sunday dinners were especially delicious where a Caribbean cuisine was always on the table. Cooking was a talent she had that was perfected by spending countless hours in the kitchen with her mother and aunt. She loved to shop for clothes for herself and her family. Irene always looked her best, and on Sundays at church her outfit was never complete without a hat.

In later years, Irene and her husband made Florida their new home but still traveled to Queens for extended visits. Even though she was retired by then, she continued to stay active in her new community doing volunteer work and participating in various group activities.

Irene loved the Lord and was extremely considerate of others. Everyone enjoyed being around her. Irene was easy to talk and listen to, because she was practical and gave great advice - she was funny too.

Wherever the Murphys lived, she made sure to seek out a bible-based church where going to worship every Sunday was a must. Her husband was usually in the choir and children attended Sunday school. Irene was always involved in a ministry.

Irene’s legacy is that she left an impressionable stamp of love on everyone she knew. We are comforted to know that Irene has gone home to glory and is with loved ones.

Irene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen & Sherman; Son and daughter-in-law Seibert & Cynthia; grandchildren Sean, Chantell, Scott, Kristen & husband Marcus; greatgrandchildren Carter and Crews; sisters Currin and Kezia, brother Richard and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are 1:00-3:00PM Wednesday July 6, 2016 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 2295 Dr. Harvey Riley Street NE, Palm Bay, Florida 32905.

Condolences may be shared at www.fountainheadfuneralhome.com