Voncille Hicks Murphy

Voncille Hicks Murphy, age 89, passed away at Ball Pavilion in Harborcreek on Saturday, June 4, 2016. She was born in Laurel, Miss. on October 13, 1926, a daughter of the late Roy V. Leeke and Eula E. Herrington. Voncille graduated from Mississippi College in 1948 and taught in the public school system on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for over 30 years. She retired from Bayou View Jr. High in Gulfport, MS in 1983. She joined First Baptist Church of Gulfport, MS in 1948 where she was a dedicated member and Sunday School Teacher. Voncille was an avid dancer and, for many years, a member and instructor of the Tic Toc Rounders and an Honorary Member of Star Twirlers, Belles & Buoys, and the Magnolia Swingers. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lo Moss Hicks, to whom she was married from 1951-1986; by her second husband, Charles L. Murphy, to whom she was married from 1988-2006; two sisters, Jean Edwards and Irma Brown Hilliard and two brothers, Roy V. Leeke, Jr. and Ronald C. Leeke. Survivors include her son, Steven V. Hicks and his wife, Edith H. Krause of Erie; her granddaughter Hannah E. McMullen and husband Scott; three great-granddaughters: Kaia, Lucia and Finley of Graniteville, SC. Voncille also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends. The funeral service is Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Floral Hills memorial Gardens, Gulfport. Memorial contributions may be made to any of her preferred charities: United Way, American Cancer Society, UNICEF, World Wildlife Fund or a local Humane Society/ASPCA. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com