Cherokee Dateline

Bessie Murphy Sexton, 66, went home to be with her Lord Tuesday, March 9, 2010. A native and lifelong resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Elnora Ledford Murphy. She was a member of Bethabara Baptist Church and a very respected member of the Birdtown Community. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Joe, Jess, and Jim Murphy.

She is survived by her loving husband, Shawn Sexton; three daughters, Debra Slee of Cherokee, Joyce Justice and her husband Barry of South Carolina, Nancy Brown and husband Tim of Cherokee; three sons, James Rose Sr. of Cherokee, Thomas Myers and wife Camille of Cherokee, Daniel Myers of Cherokee; 15 grandchildren, John, Michael, Jess and James Jr., Jack and Haleigh, Brittany and Timiyah, Ian, Isaiah, and Nonny, Asija, Meli, Thomas and Lauren; four great grandchildren; three sisters, Katherine Crisp of Cherokee, Roberta Murphy of Cherokee, Janice Jones of Cherokee; and two brothers, David Murphy and Gene Brindle both of Cherokee.

She will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Bethabara Baptist Church with the Rev. Mitchell Smiley officiating.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5 until 9 p.m. at the church.

Burial will be in the Birdtown Cemetery.

Crisp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.