On Saturday, July 1, 2017, George B. Murphy III of Washington, D.C., died surrounded by family and close friends. He was 72.
Murphy was born in Washington to Lillie Jones Murphy of Columbia, S.C., and George B. Murphy Jr., of Baltimore, Md. He is the great-grand son of AFRO American Newspapers founder John H. Murphy, Sr.
George B. Murphy III
Murphy was a graduate of Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C. where he ran track and played basketball. He later attended Coppin State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social science. After graduating from Coppin, he followed in his mother’s footsteps and worked some time as a substitute teacher. Later, he worked in the airline industry where he developed a 30-year career—20 years as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines and then 10 years on the ground with United Airlines.
Murphy had an adventurous personality enjoyed being a part of the D.C. community. He developed a strong circle of diverse friends in several of the places he also called “home,” like Atlanta, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Murphy leaves behind his daughter, Lori “Missy” Murphy Lee; his son, Benjamin Murphy Cabrera; a grandchild, Montana Alexis Lee; a son-in-law, Garrett L. Lee; his former spouse, Norma Cabrera Murphy; and his very special friend, Michelle Terrell Long, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Services for Murphy will be held on July 21 at Saint Luke’s Episcopal church at 1514 15th Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C.