Hughlen Iola Murphree

Hughlen Iola Murphree, of Holly Pond, Alabama, entered into the presence of our Lord and Savior on the morning of December 16, 2023, at the age of 83. Hughlen was born to Ovis C. and Zilla Granade Murphree on April 28, 1940.

Brother Murphree was a graduate of Holly Pond High School. He continued his studies at St. Bernard College, where he received his bachelor’s degree, as well as Samford University, where he obtained his master’s degree. Brother Murphree worked for NASA for over thirty years as a mathematician and he also served as a pastor in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Hughlen’s heart for the Lord led him to minister in multiple churches including East Point Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Union Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Summit Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Green’s Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and as co-pastor, alongside Brother Ray Edwards, at Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Brother Murphree enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation and his love for gardening and yard work was visible in the care he took in maintaining his gardens and lawn. Hughlen planted and cared for a variety of trees and plants, and he thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent doing so. While Hughlen loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren dearly, his heart for God and His word was undeniable. Brother Murphree spent the majority of his life serving his Savior, and we can be assured that he was welcomed into heaven with the words of Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Brother Murphree is preceded in death by his parents, Ovis and Zilla Murphree and his sister, Wanda Lee York.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Sylvia Cox Murphree; children, Rodney Murphree (Mary Ann), Teresa Smith, Remonia McCullars; sister, Judy Vandergrift; grandchildren, Caige Stapler, Tristan Stapler, Lakely Stapler, Dustin McCullars, Jamie Sivley; great-grandchildren, Kayla Simmons, Nick Hodges, Adalynn Mosley, Grey McCullars; and great-great-grandchildren, Easton Holt, and Langston McGehee.

Friends are invited to join the Murphree family on Tuesday evening, December 19, 2023, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., at Holly Pond Funeral Home, for a time of visitation. Funeral services for Brother Murphree will be held at East Point Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, with Brother Phillip Nichols officiating. Burial will follow services in Union Grove Cemetery where Caige Stapler, Tristan Stapler, Dustin McCullars, Nicholas Hodges, Donnie Stephens, and Michael Cooper will serve as pallbearers.

Holly Pond Funeral Home is honored to serve the Murphree family.