Jessie Virginia Murphy Rader of Clemmons

Jessie Virginia Murphy Rader of Clemmons, NC, formerly of Morganton, died on Friday, September 29, 2006 of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease after 10 years of declining health. She was born on November 16, l927 in Yancey County, NC to Jesse and Mattie Lou Wilson Murphy who preceded her in death, along with six brothers and sisters. An infant son, Mark Andrew Rader preceded her in death in 1957. She is survived by one brother, Vernie Murphy of the Veteran’s Hospital, Oteen, NC and one sister whom she loved and adored, Mrs. Effie (Roy) Prueitt of Morganton.

Bill Rader, her husband of 57 years of Clemmons, NC survives her as well as one daughter, Teresa Rader Pitts, formerly of Morganton and currently of Bermuda Run, NC. She has three grandchildren, Jessica (Phillip) Pitts Carter of Winston Salem, NC, Marshall Pitts of Morganton, NC as well as David (Danielle) Ranford Almond of Browns Summit, NC and one great-grandson, Ranford Owen Almond, age 7 of Browns Summit, NC and a number of nieces and nephews.

Jessie was employed with Southern Bell Tel & Telegraph at the first telephone office in Morganton located across the street from the new Burke County Courthouse. Her career took her through 36 years of growth and expansion with Bell South, ending in Lenoir, N.C. before her retirement.

She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers, and attended Sunday School and church at Calvary Baptist Church, Morganton, NC until her health declined. She had a strong faith and often said that it is not by words and deeds, but by faith alone in Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior that allows us to enter through the gates of heaven. She exemplified this by going about her business quietly, enjoying her family, home, neighbors, growing vegetables and flowers, and cooking for family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton at 4:00 p.m., Monday, October 2, 2006. The family will receive two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Bermuda Village Health Care Center, 142 Bermuda Village Drive, Bermuda Run, NC 27006 in memory of Jessie Rader, to the attention of Sandy Welker, S.W.