Gladys Fowler Murphy

In Memory of Mrs. Gladys Fowler Murphy

Cumming, GA - Gladys Murphy, 96, of Cumming passed away Monday, August 4, 2025, at the home of her daughter, Kim Jefferson, after an extended illness.

She was born in Blackshear, GA, Pierce County, on December 1, 1928, as the youngest daughter of William A. Fowler, Sr., and Cornelia Coleman Fowler. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Beatrice (Clarence) Wynn and William A. Fowler, Jr. (Pauline).

Gladys was an elementary school teacher for 45 years. As valedictorian of her high school class, while attending Georgia Teachers College (Georgia Southern University), she was recruited to begin teaching in her home county, Bacon County, Alma, GA. It was then, on August 30, 1947, that she married the love of her life, Winton Murphy of Alma. Ten months to the day, June 30, 1948, Carol Lynn Murphy was born. On August 30, 1954, Bill Winton Murphy was born, and on August 14, 1964, Kim Charlene Murphy, the baby, was born.

Gladys taught in the Bacon County School System for four years before moving to Augusta, GA, to join Winton, who had begun work at the Savannah River Plant (DuPont), in 1952. She began teaching at Roy E. Rollins Elementary School in its first year of inception, 1954, until 1984, when she retired to help care for her elderly father until his death, with her brother and sister. Upon his death, she taught 11 years at the Hillcrest Baptist Church School. She took great pride in her profession, but in a humble way, dedicated herself to each classroom of students each and every year. She made great and sincere efforts with each individual child so that they had a proper chance to succeed and prosper in this life.

As with teaching, Gladys was devoted to and deeply loved her family, as listed:

Three Children: Lynn (Jack) Taylor, Grovetown, GA, Bill (Beth) Murphy, Martinez, GA, Kim (Mark) Jefferson, Cumming, GA.

Seven Grandchildren: Scott (Monica) Taylor, Anne Rachels, Vaughn Taylor, Jennifer (Deceased) (Michael) Labant, Alisa (Chris) Wisner, Summer Jefferson, Reid Jefferson.

Ten Great Grandchildren: Asia Taylor, Logan Taylor, Winton Taylor, Perseus Taylor, Madelynn Taylor, Jackson Rachels, Taylor Rachels, Payton Rachels, Locklyn Taylor, Vanilla Taylor.

Active Pallbearers: Noel Fowler (Alma, GA), Scott Taylor (Augusta, GA), Nathan Rachels (Roswell, GA), Vaughn Taylor (Evans, GA), Reid Jefferson (Cumming, GA), Jackson Rachels (Suwanee, GA), Taylor Rachels (Suwanee, GA), Winton Taylor (Augusta, GA).

Family and a student will perform the funeral and burial service: Reverend Jimmy Fowler (Chattanooga, Tennessee), and the Reverend Thomas Hammond (Alpharetta, GA).

For visitation, the family will receive friends and former students at Thomas Poteet & Son, 214 Davis Rd, Augusta, GA 30907 from 7-9 pm, Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 2 pm at Thomas Poteet & Son, 214 Davis Rd. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dean's Bridge Rd/Richmond Hill Rd, Augusta, GA 30906.

With family gratitude, Memorials may be made to the Southern Souls Rescue at 3902 Adams Chapel Rd. Harlem, GA 30814.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com