Kathy Elaine (Murphy) Johnson

Kathy Elaine Murphy Johnson, age 67 of Forest City died Wednesday, August 10th, 2022, at her home. Kathy was born on April 2nd, 1955, in Yancey County, North Carolina and was a daughter of the late Holbert and Beulah Carroll Murphy. She was a graduate of Cane River High School in the Class of 1973. 

Kathy was a faithful member of Spindale Covenant Church of the Brethren where she had served as a Children & Youth leader, a member the Choir and a Sunday School teacher until her health prevented her from attending. 

She was preceded in death by her infant brother, Stanley Murphy; and sister-in-law, Nancy Murphy, as well as what she called her Angel Babies, the result of three miscarriages. 

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Claude O. Johnson of the home; her daughter, Hannah Johnson Bailey and husband Samuel of Forest City; her grandson, Issac Bailey; three brothers, Norman Murphy of Maiden, NC, Wilburn Murphy of Blue Rock, NC, and Max Murphy of Burnsville; cousins, Jerry Murphy, Donnie Bryant, and Kelly Bryant, that were dear to her; and two of Hannah’s friends that she was like a second mother to, Carmen White and Kriston Merrill.

The funeral service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 12th, 2022, in The Padgett and King Chapel with Reverend Russell Payne and Reverend Donnie Bryant officiating.  The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. on Friday at Padgett and King.

A graveside service will be held at 11 o’clock on Saturday, August 13th, 2022, at White Oak Flats Cemetery, 336 Murphytown Road, Green Mountain, NC 28740.  Family and friends will meet at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home in Burnsville where the procession will leave promptly at 10 a.m. for the cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to Gideons International to purchase bibles in memory.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathy Elaine (Murphy) Johnson, please visit our floral store.