Dot was born January 22, 1931, to Rufus and Paula Jones in Miller County, Georgia. She attended University of Georgia, where she met her beloved husband, LP Murphy Jr. LP and Dot moved to Tampa in the early 1950s, where LP established a veterinary practice and they raised their three daughters.
Dot spent decades serving the Tampa community and Bayshore Baptist Church, where she was the congregation’s first woman deacon chair, helped establish Tampa’s Meals on Wheels, and cooked countless meals for Wednesday night fellowship. She was also active in Easter Seals, the Beach Park Women’s Club, and helped lead many other community organizations. She received the Salvation Army’s People of Dedication Award in 1987.
Most importantly, Dot was a devoted mother, loving grandmother, and dedicated friend. She will be remembered for her southern hospitality, iron will, and servants’ heart.
Dot is survived by her three daughters Paula Callahan, Susan (Trey) Baldwin, Jane (Jim) Murphy; nine grandchildren Chad (Kelly) Callahan, Jeff (Alina) Callahan, Scott (Merridith) Callahan, Lee (Helen) Kynes, Katy (Bryan) Wolfe, Rebecca (Josh) Layton, Mason Baldwin, Caroline (Robbie) Wilson, Courtney (Dillon Korgan) Murphy, Matthew Murphy, and 17 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Dot will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Bayshore Baptist Church, 3111 W Morrison Ave, Tampa, FL 33629.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made Bayshore Baptist Church, Meals on Wheels Tampa, or Coffee Uniting People (CUP).
