Bessie Jean Murphy

Bessie Jean Murphy, 72, of Twin Falls, ID (formerly of Hazelton), passed away at St. Luke’s Medical Center surrounded by her family on April 1, 2017, from a short term battle with cancer.

Bessie (or BJ as she went by) was born in Gassville, AR on April 30, 1944, to Leonard and Atta Mae Riley.  The family later moved to Eden, ID where BJ went to school and graduated from Valley High School in 1962.  She was an active member in the drill team throughout her high school years.

After graduating high school, BJ married Roy Willis.  To this union, three girls were born.  BJ and Roy later divorced, but BJ remained in the Hazelton area where she raised her three girls.  She loved to coach the girls softball teams they won many tournaments.  One of her many talents was her sewing.  She would make many dance team outfits, rodeo queen outfits, quilts and many other things.

Later in life she finally reunited with her high school sweetheart, Richard Murphy.  They were together from 1991 and got married on March 26, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV.  Bessie and Richard loved to travel.  They spent most of their time in Alaska where they loved to fish and have many friends.  She lost her soulmate in November 2015 and never got over it.  Now they will be forever in eternity together.

Bessie leaves behind her three daughters Sheila (Shane) Lee, Shauna (Bruce) Hare, and Stephanie (Lee) Koretos all of Twin Falls.  Her grandchildren Merissa (Nick) Englehardt, Alesha (Cody) Wood, CJ Broner, Shyanne Lee, Chance Koretos, Kaylee Koretos all of Twin Falls and Jordanna (Josh) Kimball of Alaska.  Her great-grandchildren Peityn, Bradyn, Dastin, Easton, Jayden, Blayne and one due any day now.

Also is her brother Jack (Debi) Riley and her sister Juanita (Pete) Black of Hazelton and one niece and three nephews.

Bessie was preceded in death by her mother and father, great-granddaughter Hannah Marolf, great-grandson Jakub Kimball and her loving husband Leroy Richard Murphy.

The funeral is planned for 11:00 am Monday, April 10, 2017 at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.  Visitation will be held Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Parke’s.    

All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Bessie's memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.