Throughout the Decatur-Maxwell-Murphy Cemetery mowers and weed eaters hummed as tall grass and vines were leveled.
Soft brushes swooshed against markers as they were cleaned with a special soap
The occasional thud of a hammer could be heard when the graves of the known veterans were marked by wooden stakes, identifying them for American and Civil War flags to be placed there the day of the event.
Birds sang in nearby trees and bees darted from one clump of tall grass to 
another while fire ants were rousted from their mounds only to meet their demise.
Saturday was a work day for the Cemetery Association of Murphy to prepare the grounds for the upcoming Friday, May 30th (original date) Memorial Day Observance. The public is invited to attend between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. for tours through one of Murphy’s last historical landmarks that will be followed by a brief program.
The very remote cemetery is located down a gravel road at the junction of Tom Clevenger and Maxwell Creek roads. An alternate way to access the cemetery is to drive to the end of the road behind Murphy Middle School and enter through the park pavilion and follow the fence line to the right.
The cemetery, of which most people are unaware it even exists, had at one 
time over 300 markers, most dated in the 1800’s. With time and vandalism and the cemetery being abandoned and unattended for years, many markers have been stolen or have broken into fragments causing some to completely disintegrate. Some of Murphy’s most important families are buried in this cemetery.
The purpose of the May 30th Memorial Day Observance is to honor our veterans and all who are buried in the Decatur-Maxwell-Murphy Cemetery, as well as make people aware of this beautiful historic cemetery in need of major restoration.
The schedule for the May 30th observance follows:
5:30 – 6:30 Tours of the cemetery by Murphy Middle School Junior Historians
6:30 A brief program featuring our “National Anthem” sung by the Murphy Middle School Girl’s Choir; Colors and Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 1776; Invocation by Pastor Eric Hartman, Providence Church; Remarks by the Cemetery Association’s President, Brad Lapsley; Adopt a Marker Program explained by Marcia Jowers; “Decoration Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow recited by Yemi Adewuyi; Taps played by Sidharth Sharma and concluding with “America The Beautiful” sung by 15th Street members: Bethany Hooks, Margret Johnson, Krikit Rast, Jennifer Smith, Kevin Hinkley, Chris Peterson, Tyler Sundrud and Keith Fenstermacher.
Refreshments will be served complements of Albertson’s Grocery.
Please join us on Friday for a glimpse of Murphy’s heritage.
Marcia Jowers is the owner and publisher of the Murphy Messenger. Marcia began her newspaper career in 1986, and has worked for several major newspaper groups in Tennessee, Alabama and Texas. She launched the Messenger in October, 2004 truly believing in the concept of a localized hometown newspaper. Publishing the Messenger has been her most rewarding career accomplishment. To contact Marcia: