Robert Nathan Murphy

The reverend Robert “Bob” Nathan Murphy, Sr. passed away at the age of 89 in his Watkinsville home on June 9, 2026. His service of remembrance will be in the sanctuary of the Watkinsville First United Methodist Church in Watkinsville Georgia, June 27th at 2:00 PM. The family will receive visitors in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 12:30 PM.

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 in Forestry from the University of Georgia in Athens Georgia. 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 Forrester, 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 ten states, a pulpwood business, raised Herford cattle and was one of the first owners of Charlet cattle in Wilkes County. Bob served on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners 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.

Ordained to the Methodist Ministry, Bob served seven churches in the North Georgia Conference. In 1982 he was appointed Director of the Covecrest Christian Renewal Retreat Center in Tiger, Georgia. He built the ministry by restoring old mountain cabins on a 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 250-acre 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, Georgia, and continuing 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 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 fought the good fight until his last breath.

Having donated his physical body to science, the family asks for contributors 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, 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, Zack Calandra, Reagan Boswell (Bennett), and Nate Murphy; and two great grandchildren, Emery Treadwell, and Lane Boswell.

Bob was loved and loved by family and friends.