Murphy
Murphy Evans
d. July 1, 2012
Murphy Evans died Sunday, July 1. He was 80 years old.
Born in Laurinburg, NC, Murphy attended Woodberry Forest School, Princeton University, and Harvard Business School before settling in Raleigh in 1958 with his wife, Helen, who died in 2009.
Murphy had a long and varied career in business. He started work with State Capital Life Insurance Company and later founded his own company which bought and sold businesses in a variety of industries, from furniture leasing, to commercial printing, to hog raising. In 1977 he moved with his family to Laurinburg, where he ran several family-owned businesses, chiefly the Laurinburg & Southern Railroad Company, a short-line railroad and a locomotiveleasing business. Until the end of his life, he maintained an office in Laurinburg and commuted there daily from his home in Raleigh. He was on a first-name basis with several of the state troopers who patrolled that stretch of U.S. 1.
Murphy had a kind and gentle spirit, a ready smile, and was quick to laugh. His grandchildren named him "Big", a name that suited him well. After peanut butter, he liked nothing more than a good story and a funny joke – especially one that was told at his expense. He rarely met a stranger without learning where they were born, where they went to school, how many children they had, and whether they were related to the McNeils of Scotland County. Murphy was an optimist. Even in dark times he managed to look on the bright side and to believe that tomorrow things would be better. He took care of a lot of people – friends, family, and strangers alike. His great gift and joy was taking care of others.
Murphy is survived by four children, Hughes Evans (Eric Sorscher), Gin Evans (Rob Day), Murphy Evans (Anna Evans), and Thomas Evans (Leila Evans); eight grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and Charlie. He believed in God. He was devoted to his extended family. And he will be missed by those who knew him well.
A memorial service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 6, at 11 a.m. Visitation with family and friends will follow in a reception area at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Helen Evans Scholarship at StepUp Ministry, 1701 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608.
Read Murphy Evans's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdougald.com.
Born in Laurinburg, NC, Murphy attended Woodberry Forest School, Princeton University, and Harvard Business School before settling in Raleigh in 1958 with his wife, Helen, who died in 2009.
Murphy had a long and varied career in business. He started work with State Capital Life Insurance Company and later founded his own company which bought and sold businesses in a variety of industries, from furniture leasing, to commercial printing, to hog raising. In 1977 he moved with his family to Laurinburg, where he ran several family-owned businesses, chiefly the Laurinburg & Southern Railroad Company, a short-line railroad and a locomotiveleasing business. Until the end of his life, he maintained an office in Laurinburg and commuted there daily from his home in Raleigh. He was on a first-name basis with several of the state troopers who patrolled that stretch of U.S. 1.
Murphy had a kind and gentle spirit, a ready smile, and was quick to laugh. His grandchildren named him "Big", a name that suited him well. After peanut butter, he liked nothing more than a good story and a funny joke – especially one that was told at his expense. He rarely met a stranger without learning where they were born, where they went to school, how many children they had, and whether they were related to the McNeils of Scotland County. Murphy was an optimist. Even in dark times he managed to look on the bright side and to believe that tomorrow things would be better. He took care of a lot of people – friends, family, and strangers alike. His great gift and joy was taking care of others.
Murphy is survived by four children, Hughes Evans (Eric Sorscher), Gin Evans (Rob Day), Murphy Evans (Anna Evans), and Thomas Evans (Leila Evans); eight grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and Charlie. He believed in God. He was devoted to his extended family. And he will be missed by those who knew him well.
A memorial service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 6, at 11 a.m. Visitation with family and friends will follow in a reception area at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Helen Evans Scholarship at StepUp Ministry, 1701 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608.
Read Murphy Evans's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdougald.com.
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