Ethel Murphy

Ethel May Bigham was born in Henryetta, Okla., on March 23, 1916, to the family of Ellsworth Bigham and Ellen Foster Bigham. She passed from this life on Jan. 9, 2007, at the Spring Creek Health Care Center in Fort Collins. Family was with her at the time of her death. Ethel lived most of her life in Fort Collins. Her last home was the facility where she lived for five years prior to her death. She was very much at home there and enjoyed her many friends, visitors, and needle works. She was a faithful Broncos fan. Her church membership began in her youth when she trusted Christ as her personal Savior at the First Baptist Church of Fort Collins. Her membership at the time of her death was at Calvary Baptist Temple. Ethel was preceded in death by four husbands, the last being John Murphy, husband of 15 years. He died in 1987. Ethel had one child born to her that passed away shortly after birth. Marrying into the Murphy family in 1973 brought her into the lives and families of 16 children of her new husband, John. To these many persons she became Mom and Grandma, or just "Ethel"... your choice. Ethel's favorite means of spreading the gospel was to say to her friends, "Come and go to church with me, I really want you to hear my preacher." Many people responded to her invitations and as health would allow came with her to services. She is survived by a multitude of "kids," "grandkids" and various other relatives as well as a host of friends and acquaintances. Services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at Calvary Baptist Temple, 2420 LaPorte Ave., with viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007 at the Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive. Fellowship and visitation will follow the internment back at Calvary Baptist Temple, 2420 Laporte Ave.