Alynne Murphy
Alynne Settles Jenkins Murphy, 88, died on Sunday, May 3, 2009 in her Signal Mountain home, where she lived for the last eight years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert T. and Edith Settles of North Chattanooga; a sister, Bobby (Mrs. Lloyd G.) Roberts; and a brother, Don T. Settles of Lookout Mountain.
She attended Normal Park Grammar School, Northside Junior High and was a 1939 graduate of Chattanooga High School. She attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia and graduated from The University of Chattanooga in 1944. She was voted “Most popular girl on campus” her junior year and rose to be president of her Alpha Delta Pi sorority her senior year.
Becoming a war bride, she married Tom Jenkins Sr. of Chattanooga, by whom she had four children.
She remained in Chattanooga before marrying Lloyd T. Murphy, Jr. (formerly of Signal Mountain) who had located to Oak Ridge. Alynne raised her six children there, creatively painting “Murphy-Jenkins, Inc.” on her mail box, to show the unity of the two families.
During her 40 years in Oak Ridge, she was a member of the boat club, avid poet, fervent bridge player and ardent miniature collector, as she once accumulated 17 doll houses, each filled with hand picked or hand made furniture.
At the time of her death, she was a member of Signal Crest United Methodist Church.
Survivors include six children: Tommy (Linda) Jenkins Jr. of Hixson, Jerry (Trish) Jenkins of Chattanooga, Jennifer (Bud) Allison of Spencer, Tn., Janet Jenkins Cate (Steve Kirkpatrick) of Signal Mountain, Chip Murphy of Harrison and Barbara Murphy of Soddy-Daisy. She was the proud “Gran-Mur” to 14 grandchildren: Lori Jenkins, Leesa (Paul) Holliday, T.J. Yarborough, Holly (Justin) Arnold, Jay Jenkins, Trey (Heather) Jenkins, Kristin Jenkins, Gabrielle Allison, Rachel Cate, Beau Allison, Cade Allison, Rami Cate, Geeta Cate and Paige Allison; great-grandchildren: Walker Holliday, Mary Jenkins Holliday, Ally Belle Arnold, Jackson Arnold, Sean Collison and Alex Savini. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including her dear niece, Anne Roberts; former son-in-law, John Cate; and her beloved cat, Ruffy.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, at Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday with Rev. Mark Gooden officiating.
Interment will be on Wednesday, in Oak Ridge Memorial Park at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Signal Crest United Methodist Church or Hospice of Chattanooga.
Visit our guestbook at www.lane-coulterchapel.com to send condolences.