Cornelia Etna Murphy

Lenoir, NC – Mrs. Cornelia “Neal” Etna Blackwell Murphy, age 70, of Lenoir, passed on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care in Hudson. Born March 15, 1942 in Rutherfordton, Neal was a daughter of the late Lonnie and Mary Edwards Blackwell. She was Baptist by faith and had worked many years as a seamstress in the textile industry. Growing up, she always enjoyed doing housework and cooking. She was very independent. Neal was a good mechanic. Her first car was a 55 Chevy that she did all the maintenance on. She will also be remembered for being able to change a transmission. Neal was an avid gardener and also loved to draw and paint. She was a good ole girl and enjoyed living life to the fullest. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Odell Murphy. Survivors include her brothers and sisters, Don and Linda Blackwell of Columbia, SC, Louise Walker of Lenoir, Ellen and Bill Stoss of Granite Falls, Judy Craven of Granite Falls, Billy Blackwell of Granite Falls; her adopted children, Rhonda Smith and Jeff Hatcher of Lenoir; she is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services for Neal will be private. Online condolences can be sent to the Blackwell family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir are serving the Blackwell family. PDF Printable Version