Sarah C. Murphy Smith

Mrs. Sarah Catherine Murphy Smith, age 80, of Madison, Indiana entered this life on March 20, 1932, in Madison, Indiana. She was the loving daughter of the late, Dale Sr. & Rose Wolf Murphy. She was raised in Madison and was a graduate of Madison High School, where she had served as a cheerleader and expressed talents in music and theater. During her childhood she studied concert and classical piano at the University of Louisville School of Music. Mrs. Smith attended Hanover College and received her Bachelor in Education from Indiana University and her Master's from Indiana University as well. She began her career in education in Indianapolis in 1958 thru 1961. She was united in marriage on December 26, 1964 in Madison to Alfred J. Smith. Mrs. Smith then began her career with the Madison Consolidated School System in 1961, retiring in 1997. She had served as program leader in the English department at MCHS for 27 years. Mrs. Smith served as leader of the Debate Club, as a mentor to new teachers, in charge of the Literary Magazine and a coach for the Custer Prize Oratorical Contest for many years. She also expressed great delight in helping with the school theater and musicals. Mrs. Smith will be remembered for setting the bar high in her class, making education fun, using a well-developed vocabulary and the use of manners. Mrs. Smith was a faithful member of the Trinity United Methodist Church as long as her health permitted and the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She will be long remembered for talents in music, her smile, quick wit and love for her students. Mrs. Smith was proud to have accomplished educating over five thousand students in her professional career. Mrs. Smith died Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 11:20 a.m. at the King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana. A LOVING FAMILY Mrs. Smith will be missed by her husband: Alfred "Al" J. Smith of Madison, Indiana; her daughter: Linda Johnson of Madison, Indiana; her devoted grandson: Rodney R. Johnson, III of Madison, Indiana; her nephew: Roger Dale Murphy of Madison, Indiana; her great nephews: Brent Miller of Madison, Indiana, Sean Patrick Murphy of Madison, Indiana, Troy Allen Murphy of New Albany, Indiana; several cousins & other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father, Dale E. Murphy, Sr. died, April 1, 1963; her mother, Rose Wolf Murphy died, July 18, 1996; her brother and sister in law, Dale Murphy, Jr. died, April 17, 1997 and Madge Murphy died, December 24, 2010; her nephew, Daniel Murphy died, May 4, 2012; her niece, Melissa Hackney died, May 1, 2007. CELEBRATION OF LIFE CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 1:00 p.m., by the Rev. Dennis Ingle at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 412 West Main Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Springdale Cemetery in downtown Madison, Indiana. Friends may call Monday from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana and Tuesday from 12 Noon until time of the service at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 412 West Main Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the Custer Prize Oratorical Contest. Cards are available at the funeral home.

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