Emma Yopp Murray

Emma Yopp Murray, of Wilmington, went to be with her Lord on Monday, August 12, 2013. Born in New Hanover County on May 30, 1925, a daughter of the late John Aaron Yopp, Sr. and Ida Murray Yopp. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert C. Murray, her brothers and sisters; John A. Yopp, Hazel Y. Ward, Edna Y. Hershman, Jennette Y. King, Mary Y. Lea, Allen A. Yopp, James F. Yopp, Alton R. Yopp, half sisters Lunnie Y. Register and Arlene Y. Bordeaux. She attended Dixon School in Onslow County and New Hanover County Schools, receiving a GED and other certificates at Cape Fear Tech. which included applied psychology, cake decorating, oil painting, genealogy, and income tax preparation. Over the years she was employed by Sears Roebuck, France Neckwear, and New Hanover County Health Dept as their first Home Health Aide and Clinical Assistant. For several years she applied her talents to decorating cakes for birthdays and weddings for friends and family. She captured and recreated in oil many paintings of memories of her lifetime. Her interest in genealogy led to the publication of books on the History of Prospect Cemetery, The Yopps and Related Families, Our Heritage The Murrays, and her own Poems of the Heart, A Brief History and Scrapbook of the Ogden Vol. Fire Dept. and served as historian and provided a Brief History of Ogden Baptist Church each year for the homecoming services, and a Scrapbook for the Wilmington Baptist Association. She was instrumental in organizing the Porters Neck Home Demonstration Club, the SENCland Chapter of the American Association of Medical Assistants, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ogden Vol. Fire Dept., promoted the beginning of Ogden School, The Prospect Cemetery Historical Association, and the Sunshine Club of Ogden Baptist Church where she was a charter member. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer, Clerk, Historian, on the Homecoming Committee, Youth Leader, Women Missionary Union, and promoting many other phases of the Lord's work. Growing up on a farm and being the wife of a farmer led to becoming a member of the Cape Fear Area Farmers Market located at Independence Blvd and Park Ave. She was especially noted for her ability to shell beans and peas at a noticeable and unusual speed. She is survived by her daughter Sandra (Sandee) M. Spradley, her son, Robert (Bob) C. Murray III and wife Ulrike (Uli) Hoersting Murray, grandchildren, C. Richard (Rick) Stinson Jr. (Tiffani), Tina A. Murray , and Scott C. Murray (Meredith), great granddaughter Ella Stinson, and brother Jerry B. Yopp. Emma's desire was to give her all in life and in death. A friend over the years to shut-ins, children, and the elderly, she leaves a story to tell the world that this life was not wasted and she has left a legacy for others. God is so Good. Funeral services will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the Ogden Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 PM at the church. At her request her remains will be cremated and interred on Sunday at 4 PM at Prospect Cemetery next to her beloved husband Robert. Memorials may be made to the Ogden Baptist Church Flower Fund or the Prospect Cemetery Historical Association and Maintenance Fund, a project she promoted with her friend Ann L. Thompson and their families, or to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.