Ret. Sgt. 1st Class Isiah Murphy

Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Isiah Murphy, affectionately known as “Puddin,” “Murphy,” and “GP,” was born July 19, 1943 in Inverness, FL, the last of ten children born to the late Isaac and Simmie Green Murphy. He departed this early life on Friday, March 7th of 2025, in Lexington Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Isiah attended Citrus County Public Schools in Inverness, Florida. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1961 along with his mother, who was immensely proud that she completed her studies and graduated with her youngest son. Following graduation, Isiah enlisted in the United States Army and served his country faithfully for twenty-two years before retiring, honorably. He was a decorated soldier who served in Vietnam and Korea and was awarded many honors including the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. After retiring from the military, he worked in security and later as a Postal Sales/Service Technician for the United States Postal Service, retiring in December 2011 after twenty-three years of faithful service.

During his early years in Columbia, South Carolina, he was a member of Zion Baptist Church on Washington Street and later became an active member of Brookland Baptist Church - West Campus where he worshipped for the past twenty years. Isiah sang in the Men’s Day Choir and participated in the Seniors Ministry. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and was thrilled to set foot in both the old Texas Stadium as well as the new AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. He had a profound sense of humor and loved exploring technology. Tinkering with electronics was one of his favorite hobbies.

Isiah married the love of his life, Arline Green B. Murphy, in October of 1972. She preceded him in death on August 30, 2018. This union was blessed with a daughter, in addition to the three sons and daughter that he lovingly raised as his very own.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was also preceded in death by brothers Henry Green, Jr., Randolph Green, Ralph Murphy, and Rudolph “Zeke Wolf” Green; sisters, Alpha Green-Merricks, Marjorie Harris-Green, Murvin Green Pringley, and Betty Joe Murphy Denby.

Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Isiah Murphy leaves to cherish his fond memories his children, Nathaniel E. Barnes, Jr., DeShawn E. Barnes, Richie D. Barnes, all of Columbia, South Carolina, Mario A. (Rosalind) Barnes of Irving, Texas, and Audrey L. Murphy (Brandon) Kunka of Roswell, Georgia; Forever Daughters-in-Law, Melinda R. White of Sumter, South Carolina and Katrina L. Williams of Columbia, South Carolina; Grandchildren, LiShanti K. Barnes of Columbia, South Carolina, Richád D. Barnes of Charlotte, North Carolina, Anastasia “Stace” Kennedy-Speight of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Raven Q. Barnes of Columbia, South Carolina; Great-Grandchildren: Reese K. Hill, Chase K. Hill and Saige K. Hill of Columbia, South Carolina; one Brother, Richard (Marjorie) Murphy of Inverness, Florida; Sisters-in-Law, Alice Green and Andrena Fletcher; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and caring friends, all who loved and will miss him dearly.

May GOD bless his soul and may he rest in peace…

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