Claudette Dorothy Murphy, 86 of Minford passed away Monday, March 28, 2022, at SOMC Hospice. She was born February 17, 1936, in Scioto County, a daughter of the late Carl and Opal Dorothy Wesson Spriggs. Dorothy was retired from Minford Local Schools, a homemaker, and attended Harrison Free Will Baptist Church.
A devoted mother and wife, Dorothy taught her children and grandchildren the value of hard work, how to overcome adversity, the love of the simple things in life, the warmth of a big hug immediately when you walk in the door, and to love God.
She loved getting her hands and feet dirty while working in her vegetable garden and flower beds, watching and feeding visiting hummingbirds, crocheting beautifully intricate doilies, and cuddling and playing with any baby she could get her hands on.
A hard worker, she often braved the weather to tend to animals and take care of business on the family farm. She was a firm believer in showing her love by filling bellies. Her home-style fried chicken, dinner rolls, fried apples, fudge, no-bakes, and strawberry jam were desired by many.
She coveted time spent with family, especially while swinging on the screened-in-porch. The void left on the porch swing is small in comparison to the void left in the hearts of her loved ones.
She is survived by the love of her life, Donald Murphy; her children, Karen (Ed) Smalley, Brenda Harris, Raymond (Sue) Wheeler, Jr., Tim Wheeler, Larry Wheeler, Danny (Tammy) Wheeler, Paul (Debbie) Wheeler, Paulette Phillips, Robert (Suzanne) Wheeler, Richard Wheeler, Randall (Shona) Wheeler, Becky Wheeler Spriggs; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her step-mother, Vesta Spriggs, and her brothers and sisters, Carlene Plasek, Martina Almy, Robert (Debbie) Leicht, Jr., Sandra Leicht, Brenda (James) Vanderpool, Keith (Brenda) Spriggs, Jeff (Faye) Spriggs, Pam Cooley, Carla (Frosty) Cox, and Darla (Harold) Cooper. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Robert Leicht, Sr.; her grandparents who raised her, Walter and Grace Spriggs, and brothers and sisters, Patty Ann Vechery, Joseph Leicht, Jackie Ray Spriggs, Carl Edward Spriggs, and Cheryl Heffner.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford with Pastor Mike Mounts officiating. The burial will be in Bennett Cemetery in Minford. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.
