MINERVA ADELL (MURPHY) MORGAN
Johnston City–In loving memory of Minerva Adell (Murphy) Morgan ("Minnie" of Johnston City, IL) who left our world to join her Lord Jesus in Heaven on May 27, 2015. She was a devoted wife, caring mother, doting grandmother and beloved sister. Born in Peoria, IL on March 15, 1937 to Murial (Wells) Murphy and Floyd Edwin Murphy, she moved to Southern Illinois where she spent her youth. She encountered her future husband, Billy Morgan, when their eyes met in a drugstore and he told the boys, "I am going to marry that girl." Three years later, they became husband and wife on December 28, 1955. When work moved them up north, they made a happy home raising four beautiful children, Roxie Diane, Billy, Norman, and Anita. After her children were raised, Minnie went to work at the Jewel Grocery Store as a salesclerk, and later became the union stewardess. She retired after 25 years and moved to Southern Illinois in 1991 to enjoy her retirement years near her mother and family, including her only sister and dearest friend, Eula.
She was Christian, and her favorite songs were "Jesus Loves Me," and "The Old Rugged Cross." She loved to crochet, kept an immaculate house, loved to cook (and made the best fried chicken and meatloaf-her son, Billy's favorite). Each year, her husband and sons tended to an abundant garden, and Minnie spent countless hours canning and cooking. Her grandchildren loved her strawberry jam, and remember her delicious pumpkin and pecan pies, as well as the various baked goods she always prepared for her husband. She took great pride in caring for her family, and instilled morals, values, forgiveness, strength, and strong-will in all of us. She was so proud of her children and the caring, loving families they raised, and she bragged on them often. She hardly ever spoke a harsh word about anyone, and would do anything to help her immediate and extended family. She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who adored and respected her, and who remember fondly the many summer vacations spent at Grandma's and going out for ice cream.
She was a strong woman who overcame many health obstacles in life, and yet, she was a tiger at heart-never giving up until the end when she felt confident her beloved best-friend, her dedicated husband, would be okay.
In her final days, she remained ever faithful and at peace knowing she was going to be with our Lord and Savior and all of her loved ones who have passed on. Minerva wished to be cremated and to be moved to her final resting place in her husband's arms upon his death.
She is survived in death by her loving and devoted husband Billy Morgan, two daughters Diane Bruce (Don) and Anita Morgan, and two sons William Morgan (Tina) and Norman Morgan (Sandy); Sister Eula Pigg (Jerry); Sister-in-law Myrtle Murphy; grandchildren James Cory Bruce (Susan), Jaime Adell Spence (Chad), Billie Leeann Hartwell (Kyle), Kimberly Morgan, Jessica Johnson, Heather Morgan, Chris Morgan (Cheyenne), Michael Morgan, Stephanie Morgan, Lucas Morgan, Joseph Morgan, Camruinn Morgan; and 10 great grandchildren, with one on the way. She was preceded in death by her father Floyd Edwin Murphy, mother Muriel Anna Murphy, and three brothers Wallace, Glen, and Bernard Murphy. We deeply love her and will miss her greatly.
Services will be held at 6:00 P.M., Sunday May 31, 2015, at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.