Stanford D. Murphy was born on January 20, 1962 in Painesville, OH to the late Herlies Murphy and Mary Matthew Watson.  He was the 3^rd of 5 children.   He graduated from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, OH.  He united in marriage to Connie Bartee on September 4, 1999.  Stanford worked for AT&T as a Technician for (41) years until his recent retirement.

Stanford was 13 years old when his father, Herlies accepted his pastoral calling at Community Missionary Baptist Church in Erie, PA.  This event began the life of young Stanford into the church.

In 1990 at the age of 28, Stanford accepted his call into the ministry under the watchful care of Pastor Roderick Pounds of the United Baptist Church in Akron, OH.  Rev. Murphy accepted many assignments during his ministry, serving under (4) pastors in (30) years.  He was often called to be a guest speaker at many churches during his ministry career.

Rev. Murphy was a graduate of Theology from the Temple Bible College & Seminary in Cleveland, OH.  He also majored in English at the University of Akron.

In September 2005, Rev. Murphy was recommended by Pastor Curtis A. Minter of Shiloh Baptist Church, to serve as Interim Pastor of Christian Baptist Church in the absence of Pastor Lawrence Shells.  God had a different plan for Rev. Murphy, which culminated in the church unanimously accepting Rev. Murphy as their Pastor in April 2006.  He was the 2^nd Pastor of Christian Bible Baptist Church in its 25-year history, which was a historical honor.

On a lighter side, Rev. Murphy had a personality that was unmatched.  His humor was disarming, his jokes were funny, and his laughter was contagious.  He loved teaching God’s word, speaking life into anyone who came in his presence, spending time with family, traveling the world, fishing as often as he could, and reading many books.

Rev. Murphy’s favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.”

Minister Murphy joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Akron, OH in 2012, where he served as the Assistant Minister.  He also taught Sunday school and was a faithful member of the Male Chorus and the Mass Choir, until his homegoing.

Rev. Murphy transitioned from life to life eternal on Monday, December 21, 2020.

His legacy will forever live through the hearts of his loving and devoted wife Connie Murphy; children, Aja and Adam Murphy, John Terrell, of Dayton, OH;  siblings: Serbonica Murphy of Aurora, Colorado, Herlis Don Diego Murphy (Cathy) of Clermont, Florida, Helen Bozeman (Anthony) of Orlando, Florida, John W.H. Murphy (Carlesa) of Massillon, OH, Ethel Murphy of North Carolina, Johnny Harris of Cleveland, OH, Regina Lockhart (Lorenzo) of Aurora, OH, and Felicia Miles (Leroy) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Lynia, Elijah, Isaiah, Jonah, Keisette, Alena and Ariella, all of Akron, OH, Wesley and Josi Terrell of Dayton, OH; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.