Robert Nathan Murphy

The Reverend Robert "Bob" Nathan Murphy, Sr. passed away at the age of 89 in his Watkinsville home June 9, 2026. His service of remembrance will be in the sanctuary of the Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, Watkinsville, Georgia, June 27, at 2:00 P.M. The family will receive visitors in the Watkinsville UMC Fellowship Hall at 12:30pm.

Bob was born on February 7, 1937 in South Williamson, Kentucky. He was the only son of Hollis Murphy and Mary Bennett. He grew up in Washington, Georgia where he lettered in all sports in high school and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree, cum laude in Forestry from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. He was a member of the Honorary Forestry Society, Xi Sigma Phi. Bob served eight and a half years in the Army National Guard. After graduation, he was employed by Georgia Kraft Paper Company in Greensboro, Georgia. Later, he and his wife, the former Carole Elizabeth Johnson, moved back home to Washington, Georgia where he had a successful career as a Consultant Forester, one of the few in the state of Georgia to own his own Consulting Forestry Company in 1960. He also owned a woods equipment dealership which covered 10 states, a pulpwood business, raised Herford cattle and was one of the first owners of Charolais cattle in Wilkes County. Bob served on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, 1969, and was a member of the Washington First Baptist Church until he followed a mid-life call to the Christian ministry and left his former life behind in 1971. After moving to Atlanta, he began his studies at Candler School of Theology, graduating cum laude in 1974, obtaining Clinical Pastoral Care experience while serving the church with three children, at Mt. Pisgah UMC in Alpharetta, GA. He went on to serve Peachtree Road UMC, Atlanta, GA., as an Associate; Winterville UMC, Winterville, GA. as senior pastor, and a total of seven churches in the North Georgia Conference of the UMC during and after ordination.

In 1982 he was appointed Executive Director of the Covecrest Christian Renewal Retreat Center in Tiger, Georgia. He built the ministry there by restoring old mountain cabins that were on the 250-acre property, developing 75 lots for sale for a Christian Community, and adding to the property a Conference Center, Lodge, and Campground. Using his forestry and farming experience Bob built the retreat center into a quiet place of peace and beauty. Bob and Carole, together, began two special ministries, namely "His Last Days", Georgia's only outdoor passion drama held at Tallulah Falls, GA., to this day, after 42 years. The second unique ministry was one of the first residential seminar programs in the country for sufferers of anxiety and panic. Rev. Murphy continued his ministry in retirement, serving churches, becoming Executive Director of Broken Vessels Renewal Ministries, and publishing a book, Life After Heaven: The Missing Gospel.

A lover of sports of all kinds, he was especially an ardent fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves. The games were especially important to him after he became bedridden at home. An avid reader and lover of music and dance, he often recalled his "Elvis" days. Called "rubber legs" in his early life and class comedian, his bout with a rare cancer and the resulting, amputation caught him dreaming of walking and dancing on both legs in a future life. Ever the eternal optimist, he was "never a quitter" and with great courage, his whole life, he fought the good fight until his last breath.

Rev. Murphy donated his body to the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to consider donations to the "His Last Days" Outdoor Passion Drama Ministry, in care of Mrs. Jan Volk: 248 River Vista Drive, Dillard, GA. 30537.

Preceded in death by his parents, and his grandparents, grand-daughter Amy Grace Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan R. Bennett, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Murphy, Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carole Johnson. Bob is also survived by three children, Suzanne Oliver, Reverend Mary Elizabeth Murphy, and Robert Nathan Murphy, Jr. (Cindy); five grandchildren, Elizabeth Treadwell (Austin), Miriam Murphy-Gary, Zach Calandra, Reagan Boswell (Bennett), and Robert Nathan (Nate) Murphy, III; and two great grandchildren, Emery Treadwell, and Lane Boswell. Bob loved and was loved by family and friends.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, West, Watkinsville, GA is assisting the family with the arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com