Alonzo Alexander "Lonnie" Murphy Jr.

He was born and raised in Charleston, Tennessee. He and his brothers were “river rats”, playing in and along the Hiawassee River. Lonnie was a veteran of World War II, having done stateside duty. He was an artisan, being accomplished in all of the arts.

Lonnie was, by vocation, a pattern maker, designer and manufacturer of carpet machinery, and manufacturer of automotive tooling. He was also an artist and a master woodworker. Lonnie was truly a Renaissance man, being talented in so many areas, with the ability to do anything to which he set his mind. This ability continued until just recently. Lonnie held patents on carpet machinery that he had designed.

He was preceded in death by two sons, David and Mark; parents, Alonzo A. Murphy, Sr. and Bessie Belle Holloway Murphy; two sisters, Bea and Polly; three brothers, Jack, Mutt, and Jim; and best friend, Jimmy Varnell.

Lonnie is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Mary Ruth Billingsley Murphy; son, Michael; daughter, Marilyn; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his brother, Pat.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2:30 pm on Sunday at the North Chapel.

Private graveside services for the family only will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

This is a letter written by his granddaughter several months before his death. It was his wish that it be included in his obituary.

Dear Grandpa,

What I want to say to you is, you were the best parent I had, you loved me without asking for anything in return and, to me, that is what real love is.

You always said, holler if you need anything. I can fix anything but a broken heart of the crack of dawn and I believed you could. I cannot list all the things I learned from you – they are too countless.

I cannot list what you gave to me – the material and the immaterial. Green tomatoes that you would leave at my door because you knew I liked them that way.

I remember every story you ever told me in all the years you took me to the bus and picked me up and how you acknowledged my intelligence consistently.

I hold you and every memory strong in my heart and we may have been across this country 10 years but I have never been far from you in my mind. I hope this somehow expresses the unsaid – that you have always been and will always be a part on me – of who I’ve come to be, with admiration and all my love.

Love, Bevin

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist.