Ruth Bernice Murphy was born to the late Andrew and Josephine Lawson on October 17, 1927, in Lowndes County, Alabama.

Ruth Bernice Murphy confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Gordonville, Alabama. She educated in the Lowndes County Public Schools.

Ruth Bernice Murphy was united in holy matrimony to the late Arthur Robert Murphy, Sr. She later moved to Birmingham, Alabama and joined Twenty-Third Street Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C.J. McNair. She later joined True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Eddie J. White.

Ruth Bernice Murphy worked at Western-Olin High School and retired as a manager in the child nutrition program.

Ruth Bernice Murphy was proceeded in death by Arthur Robert Murphy, Sr. (1991), Billy A. Murphy, Sr. (2000), and Geraldine Murphy (2002). She leaves to cherish her memory: four sons, Arthur Murphy, Jr., Hartford, CT, Dr. Artis Murphy, Damon Murphy (Kisha), and Derrick Murphy (Shenavia), Birmingham, AL; four daughters Alma Ivey (Alton), Colloden, GA, Patricia Caffee (Rufus), Detroit, MI, Dr. Gloria Holt (son in-law Robert) , Montgomery, AL, and Cynthia Hill, Birmingham, AL; twenty-three grandchildren, and twenty-three great-grandchildren (See Legacy Page); a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.