Katharine C. Hoy

Katherine Christine Murphy Hoy, the daughter of Grant Murphy, Sr. and Frances Hill Murphy, was born June 11, 1921, in Sunflower County, Mississippi. The youngest and last survivor of six children, she was preceded in death by her siblings; Kelcy, Sr., Frank Wesley, Fletcher, Grant, Jr. and John Henry, Murphy, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Katherine received her primary and secondary education at Marion School for Colored in Marion, Arkansas.

Katherine was a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana for a number of years. Prior to relocating to Indianapolis, she was a resident of Chicago, Illinois and Memphis, Tennessee.

Katherine professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized. At her passing, she was an active and dedicated member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a member of the Ellen Graves Missionary Society and faithfully attended Sunday School. While residing in Memphis, she was a member of Progressive Baptist Church and still maintained a loving fellowship with that church family.

Katherine was a seamstress and throughout her lifetime was employed at Sears and Roebuck and several other companies where she made drapes.

Although she didn't have children of her own, Katherine was a surrogate mother to her nieces, nephews and godchildren. She dearly loved her family and to her sisters-in-laws, was more like a sister. Kind and generous to a fault, she was always lending a helping hand to someone in need and often prepared meals for the residents in her senior citizens apartment building. Katherine had a sweet and gentle spirit which resulted in her being adopted by Usher Board No. 2 at St. Luke Baptist Church as one of their Senior Citizens.

Although in her 90's, Katherine's appearance and demeanor belied her age. She was spry, loved life and was always on the go. Chic and always fashionable and meticulously dressed, she was affectionately called one of the "divas" of St. Luke. Katherine's personality endeared her to everyone she met. She touched the lives of those too numerous to name and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Katherine Christine Murphy Hoy departed this life on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at the age of ninety seven years, two months and twenty-one days.

She leaves to cherish her memory six generations of nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, extended family, her beloved Progressive Baptist Church Family, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church family and numerous friends.