Clifton Lee Murphy

Graveside service for Mr. Clifton Lee Murphy will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens, West Monroe, LA.

Clifton was born on March 19, 1943, in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, and passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

A man of many words, Papaw had a story for just about everything. He could tell detailed stories from his childhood, recall events from decades ago, and share his knowledge on nearly any subject—from JFK and Louisiana history to the weather. If you had a question, Papaw was the one to listen to. And if you had the time, he would probably have a story to go along with the answer.

Papaw was a natural storyteller and writer. He loved writing short stories about his life, his adventures, and especially his family. He wrote and illustrated about each of his grandchildren and the memories they made together, leaving behind pieces of his life and his love in words that will be cherished for generations.

His love of history was evident in everything he did. Papaw loved watching Jeopardy!, and everyone knew he was going to be “out of pocket” until the final answer was given. He had a mighty collection of antique cars, books, bookmarks, photographs, newspaper clippings, and just about anything else that caught his interest. He could pick up any one of those items and turn it into a history lesson, which would inevitably lead to another story, another memory, and another piece of knowledge to share.

He had a special love for streetcars and for the history of New Orleans. He loved old country songs, Louisiana, and learning about the people, places, and events that shaped the world around him.

Papaw was also known for his sense of humor. Even in his later years, he loved joking with his grown grandchildren. As he was being assisted while walking, he would often joke, “Aww, watch me jump down the steps flat-footed.” Through everything life brought his way, Papaw never lost his sense of humor. His ability to make those around him laugh was one of the many things that made him so special.

Above everything else, Papaw loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were among the greatest joys of his life. He was a deeply empathetic man who loved people wholeheartedly and had a way of making everyone he met feel welcome and cared for. He never seemed to meet a stranger, and his genuine love for others will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Clifton worked for 21 years at Manville until its closure and later worked at St. Francis Medical Center until his retirement.

To his family, Clifton was so much more than a husband, father, and grandfather. He was a storyteller, historian, teacher, collector of memories, and a source of laughter and unconditional love. His stories, his humor, his wisdom, and the memories he created will continue to live on through the generations he loved so dearly.

Clifton is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Frankie Murphy; brother, Johnny Murphy; sisters, Ruth Sullivan (Lavelle) and Martha Sloan (Ed); son, Mark Allen Murphy; and grandchildren, Cade Smith and Hillary Mokinnie.

Clifton is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Glenda Spillers Murphy; son, Jerry Murphy (Jenny); grandchildren, Zach Murphy, Alayna Murphy (Brittany), Kyle Murphy (Cheyanne), and Myra Rice; and great-grandchildren, Dash Murphy, Aspen Murphy, Meila Murphy, Zayn Murphy, Kashton Murphy, Lyric Boudreaux, Ekko Williams, and Emersyn Jennings.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jr. Spillers (Kathy); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bass (Roger) and Virginia Manes (Bobby); along with a host of extended family and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Clifton leaves behind a lifetime of stories, but perhaps his greatest story was the life he lived and the love he gave to the people around him.