Elizabeth Murphy Sadler Nelson

Elizabeth Murphy Sadler Nelson joined the Lord in His home on Friday, August 10, 2007. Murphy was born in Paris, Arkansas on September 27, 1904 to the late Charles Clift Sadler and Virginia Gwaltney Sadler. At age 18, she graduated from Galloway College, now Hendrix College, with an A.B. degree in drama and speech. Murphy taught for six years until her marriage to The Reverend Fletcher Nelson, then Assistant Pastor at West Market Street Methodist Church in Greensboro. Followed were moves to Rutherfordton, Forest City, Morganton, Charlotte, and Banner Elk. Dr. Nelson became President of the Edgar Tufts Memorial Association, which included Lees-McRae College. Murphy became knowledgeable on folklore, stories, and dancing, which she taught as a college class.Returning to Morganton in 1957, she served the Western North Carolina Conference as Vice President, President, and finally the last President of the Women’s Society of Christian Mission. She was then elected as President of the new women’s organization, the United Methodist Women. Also, she served as Dean of Conference School of Christian Mission, chairperson of Committee on the Study Support of the Ministry, and Secretary of the Committee on Rules and Procedures of Annual Conference. She was the oldest member of the First United Methodist Church in Morganton.At the national level, she was Secretary of the Board of Higher Education, a member of the task force of Ministerial Evaluation and Candidacy for the Ministry, and a member of the National Methodist Foundation Scholarship Committee. She was a delegate to the Methodist General and Jurisdiction Conferences, and the World Conference in Ireland.

Murphy served as trustee to Pfeiffer College, Henton Rural Retreat Life Center, Brooks-Howell Home, Bethlehem Center, and Givens Estates.In all of her active life she had young and old call her "Murphy". She enjoyed books and thus book clubs, playing the piano, keyboard, dulcimer, and recorder. Her interests included basket weaving, needle work, and writing. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Murphy always wanted to learn something new or to read something thought provoking.

She has been honored by having a group, " Murphy’s Girls ", named for her and sanctioned by the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed mentoring this group of girls age 5 to 12 at the First United Methodist Church in Morganton.Surviving are her son, Fletcher Nelson, Jr. of Morganton; her daughter, Mary Nelson Pierce and her husband, Bennie H. Pierce of Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Bennie Hughes Pierce, Jr., David Clifton Pierce, Dr. Fletcher Nelson Pierce and his wife, Carrie, Mary Elizabeth Pierce Kappert and her husband, Jeff; great grandchildren, Fletcher Nelson Pierce, Jr., Frances Murphy Pierce, Avery Tilghman Pierce, Elizabeth Warfield Pierce, Katherine Grace Kappert, and Pierce Charles Kappert.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, The Reverend Dr. Fletcher Nelson; a brother, Overton Sadler; and a sister, Mary Lee Jackson.A private family graveside service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery.A Celebration of Murphy’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Dr. Sydnor Thompson, III, Rev. Jason Harvey, and Rev. Holly Adams officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 North King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.