Kendall Corey Murphy

On November 2, 1968, joy and delight was added to the Murphy family with the birth of Kendall Corey Murphy, the sixth child born to Henry and Samella Murphy in Arkadelphia. His parents knew right away that he would add more laughter and love to their family. Kendall grew up to be a funny, smart and handsome young man. He made friends wherever he went. His friends remember him as a loyal and trusted friend. Kendall was a 1987 graduate of Arkadelphia Sr. High School, where he excelled as a student and as an athlete. Shortly after graduation on October 17, 1987, he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the Lackland Air Force Base Texas. Kendall was proud of the service that he gave to his country. The Lord added to Kendall’s life a beautiful baby girl, Sadia. He met and married Denise Burnell on May 7, 2010; although they had no children together he loved and cherished Brittany and Alan as his own. His fun-loving, charismatic spirit will be forever etched in the minds and hearts of those who knew him. Kendall was preceded in death by his father Henry Murphy (2010). He passed into the Lord's embrace on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Hot Springs County Medical Center in Malvern, Arkansas. Those left to celebrate his life are his wife, Denise Burnell Murphy of Malvern; his daughter Sadia Murphy of San Bernardino, CA; two children he cherished as his own, Brittany McCollum of Arkadelphia, AR and Alan Smith of Arlington, TX; two grandchildren, Sa’Riah Jones and Kaiden Jones both of Arkadelphia, AR; his beloved mother, Samella Hill Murphy of Arkadelphia; his siblings, Ricky (Cheryl) Conner of Houston, TX, Alvin Pennix of Long Beach, California, Henry (Kathy) Florence of Malvern, Zina (Eddie) Bailey of Arkadelphia, Joel Bloomfield of Las Vegas, Nevada, Tamara Jolly of Hot Springs and Gwendolyn (Roy) Pollins of Hot Springs; one aunt, Hattie Smith of Los Angeles, CA, Gus (Yvonne) Hill of Atlanta, GA and Gary (Katie) Hill of Jacksonville, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends. Public visitation will be Monday, June 16th from 12 noon -7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. A home going celebration will be shared on Tuesday, June 17th at 12:00 noon at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Elder Gerry Young will officiate. The interment will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with military honors.