Gloria June Murphy

Gloria June Kramer was born on June 14, 1944, to Michael and Emma Kramer.  She grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania and Ohio to German immigrants Michael and Emma Kramer with her siblings:  Robert, Richard and Margaret (Peggy).  Gloria's parents had a family-run store and produce business they operated during the Depression and World War II era.  Their mother, Emma, instilled in her a love for family and God that all her children have gracefully and admirably passed on to future generations.  They all were expected to work hard.

Gloria was 14 when she and her mother attended the 1958 International Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York City at Yankee Stadium, with over 253,000 in attendance.  She became lost at that huge event and soon wandered into the Bronx Zoo, took hundreds of pictures of the animals with her new camera, before she found her way back to Yankee Stadium.  Gloria had a love for animals, especially dogs, and had adopted many of the furry friends throughout her life.  She attended Burton High School and graduated in 1962.  She was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on July 29, 1962 in Canton, Ohio.

Gloria married David Murphy on October 19, 1968, and spent 39 happy years together, until his death.  The highlight of Gloria's life was the years they spent pioneering together and helping to build Kingdom Halls.  They never had children of their own, but they touched so many young lives with their love and attention.  Gloria and David are also known for their peach and ice cream selling businesses, which they employed many young relatives and friends.  They always mixed hard work with lots of laughs and joking around.  The last few years of Gloria's life were filled with ill health and many hospital and rehab stays.  But a joke among her friends and family was that she just had another territory to spread the Kingdom message.  She was kind, hilariously funny, courageous and loyal.  Her strong faith in God got her through many challenges in life.  She was sure of God's promise to bring those who have fallen asleep in death back to life on a paradise earth.

This was her hope:  Job 14:14, 15 "If a man dies, can he live again?... You will call, and I will answer you.  You will long for the work of your hands."