Blanche Murff

Blanche Brown Murff, 91, of Sylva, North Carolina died Sunday, May 4, 2014. She is survived by her husband, Randall Murff, her daughters Jerry Spears (Raymond) of Sylva, NC, Antoinette “Toni” Savell (Randall) of Sylva, NC, her son, Stephen Murff (Lidie) of Houston, TX, her grandchildren: Kevin Spears, Susan Spears Del Castillo, Laura Spears, Nicholas Savell, Patrick Savell, Michael Murff, Katherine Murff, Ryan Murff and two great-grandchildren Kaitlyn Del Castillo and Charles Murff. Surviving also is her sister, Julia B. Harrison of Derma, MS, her sister-in-law Ruby Brown and 11 nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Radford W. Brown of Jacksonville, FL, and her sister, Margie B. Provine of Powder Springs, GA. She and her husband, Randall Murff, have been residents of Sylva since 2008 when they moved to North Carolina to be closer to family. The Murffs were originally from Mississippi and lived many years in Jackson and Webb. Blanche was born September 2, 1922, in Grenada County, MS to Earl R. and Elizabeth Jacks Brown and grew up in Calhoun County, MS. She graduated from Holmes Junior College in Decatur, MS. On December 25, 1942, she married Randall Murff of Calhoun County before his overseas military deployment during WWII. Blanche retired from Sears in 1976. She was an active member of Alta Woods Baptist Church of Jackson, MS, serving as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Her greatest interests in life were her family, church and friends. She was a very creative and talented lady who enjoyed painting, drawing and applied her artistic talents in many ways. Funeral Services will be 5:00 pm Thursday, May 8 at Appalachian Funeral Home with the Rev. Johnny Lee Officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 until 5:00pm prior to the Service at the Funeral Home. A graveside service and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Grenada, MS on Saturday May 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Jackson County Department of Aging, Meals on wheels program, 100 County Services Park, Sylva, NC 28779