Judy Lyles Murphy

Judy La Rue Murphy (Lyles) of West Columbia, SC passed away of natural causes on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the age of 85.  Born May 23, 1939, in Chester SC; she was the daughter of the late Howard and Doris Lyles (Estridge).

Judy was a very loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother,and great-grandmother throughout her life.  She loved everything related to homemaking. As the Cafeteria Manager at Brookland-Cayce High School(BCHS) she used her love for cooking and baking daily.  She went on to be the BCHS Administrative Treasurer. Following those achievements, she graduated from Midlands Technical College in nursing, and eventually retired as a charge nurse from the South Carolina State Penitentiary. Judy was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church with her late-husband Ken Murphy. In addition, she served as co-president for the West Point Parents Club of SC in 1984.  Judy was a tough Carolina Gamecock fan, about which she endlessly enjoyed poking fun with her brother Mickey, who continues to be an equally tough Clemson fan.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents; and her husband of 60 years, Kenneth Franklin Murphy.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Kenneth F. Murphy II (Alison Smythe); granddaughter Sarah Murphy Osma (Nick) and her great granddaughter Amelia Lucille Osma of Babylon, NY; former daughter in-law Alicia Villari (Glenn)of Northport, NY; brother Mickey Lyles(Heidi Holt) of Chester, SC; nephew Brenton Lyles (Larissa) of North Augusta, SC; former sister-in-law Nancy Amend of Alaska, daughters Alisa Lyles of Hilo, Hawaii, and Anita Lyles Breyer (Jerrod) of Summerville, SC; her lifetime friend Carole Matthews Russell (Phil) from Union, SC; cherished friends and confidants Gerrie Campbell, Hilda Edwards, and Judy Bishop from West Columbia, SC.  Her partner-in-crime Ginger, her beloved dog.

A brief Inurnment ceremony will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery Friday May 2, 2025 at 12pm; where Judy and her late husband Ken will be committed together in the Columbarium.  A Celebration of Life will follow immediately afterwards at the family home. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that you donate to the charity of your choice.