Esther Elizabeth Murphy

Esther Elizabeth Murphy, known affectionately by family and friends as “Polly” transitioned peacefully from this life on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones at Collingswood Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Rockville, Maryland.

Esther was born on July 29, 1943, in Colerain, North Carolina to Arthur Rankins, Sr. and Esther Mae Rankins (Bass). While growing up in nearby Powellsville, North Carolina, Esther the second of eight children, spent time with her siblings, playing games such as Old Red Devil, 1-2-3 Red light, jump rope, and dodgeball. She was also a passionate basketball player. Attending North Carolina public schools, Esther graduated from C.G. White High School in 1962 and attended Fayetteville Teacher’s College. After living with a cousin for a short time in Philadelphia, Esther left and settled in Washington, D.C., where in the late 1960s, she met Franklin Murphy of Lugoff, South Carolina. They were joined in marriage on September 2, 1972.

During her career in D.C., she worked at the Postal Service, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the D.C. Government at the Department of Finance and Revenue, and lastly, Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers until her retirement. To fill her retirement years and remain active, she enjoyed cooking, sewing, watching Westerns, a variety of soap operas, talk shows, and keeping current on events and politics. Esther could often be overheard chatting loudly with her friends over the phone about politics and national events! Additionally, Esther would enjoy spending time with her grandchildren and would often speak lovingly and talk people’s ears off about them.

Throughout her life, Esther loved the Lord and her family and friends. She was a member of Mount Horeb Baptist Church and would often be a caring and sturdy rock to those around her, always willing to lend a helping hand when she could.

Esther was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Mae Rankins, father, Arthur Rankins; sister, Gladys Austin; and husband, Franklin Murphy.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen Fletcher (Aaron) of Ayden, NC; Doris Wright (Franklyn) of Sumter, South Carolina; Dorothy Miles (Kenny) of Ridgeway, South Carolina; son, Corey Murphy (Adriane) of Washington, D.C.; sisters, Fannie Wright (Harold) of Ridgeland, SC; Betty Hoggard of Powellsville, NC; Ruth Melton of Jacksonville, FL; brothers, Charlie Rankins (Elaine) of Upper Marlboro, MD; Arthur Rankins, Jr. (Mabel) of Baltimore, MD; Randy Rankins of Raleigh, NC; eight grandchildren, Antonio Miles, Ashley Miles, Jordan Boseman, Ashton Brown, Reagan Fletcher, Dillon Fletcher, Tamia Murphy, and Donovan Murphy; two great-grandchildren; Makayla Horton and Karleigh Chamberlain; her caretaker and close friend Sylvia Love, classmate Sarah Wilson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is greatly loved and will be missed by all.