Elven Murphy

Elven Cassell "Ceil" Murphy, age 85, of Pine Hill, New Jersey, peacefully departed this life at home on November 26, 2025.

Born on December 9, 1939, in Garysburg, North Carolina, to the late Eddie James Wilkins, Sr. and Mary E. Wilkins, Ceil later became a long-time resident of both Trenton and Lawrence Township, New Jersey.

In the 1960s, Ceil met and married the love of her life, John Wesley Murphy. Together they built a beautiful life and welcomed four children. Through their union, Ceil also embraced John's eldest daughter as her own.

Ceil was a proud graduate of Trenton Central High School. She went on to dedicate many years of service at General Motors, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, and Phoenix Behavioral Health, retiring from each with honor.

Ceil was affectionately known to many as "Mother Murphy," a devoted member and mother of the Church at Mount Moriah U.H.C.

A woman of simple joys and a nurturing spirit, Ceil loved gardening, canning, cooking, and spending peaceful days at the shore. She cherished time shared with her sister-in-law, Alice Murphy; her cousins, Pastor Delores Stevenson and Brenda McRae; and her dear friend, Gail Dickerson.

Predeceased by parents: Eddie James Wilkins, Sr. & Mary E. Wilkins; parents-in-law: Edmund & Mattie Murphy; siblings: Lucille Wilkins, Eileen Morrison, Ella Dash, Alijah Marcel Wilkins, Leon Wilkins, and Carl Wilkins; In-laws: Doris Warner, Lewis Warner, Berniece Harvey, Robert Murphy, Wendy Wilkins, and Ethel Wilkins

Lovingly survived by; Brother: Eddie James Wilkins, Jr.; in laws: Alice Murphy and Ubeeka Morrison; grandchildren: Starr Murphy, Aasiya Murphy, Dhahmin Murphy, Anthony Carrencajie, Damon Washington, Briahna Thompson, Khadijah Thompson, Kahlil Thompson, and Briajahne Thompson, Shawntia Williams, Shawn Applewhite Jr. and Ashanti Applewhite; great-grandchildren: Azzury Murphy, Madyson Slaughter, Brandon Washington, Jade Murphy, Avery Murphy-Crawford, Sage Coleman, Applewhite, Stephen and Sincere Williams; and a host of other close relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 12pm Saturday, December 6, 2025 at First Baptist Church Of  Eggerts Crossing, 121 Hillcrest Ave., Lawrence Township, NJ 08648. Calling hour will be 11am until the time of service. Interment will be at Ewing Cemetery, Ewing, NJ.

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