Annie Katherine Murphy, 88, of Avenue, MD died on September 15, 2009 at St. Mary's Nursing Center. Born November 11, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Valentine and Ruth Vincent Woodall.

She was the wife of the late Albert L. Murphy, whom she married on December 24, 1944 in Bethesda, MD and who preceded her in death on November 24, 1984.

She is survived by her sons Gilbert Murphy and his wife Cindy of Avenue, MD and Eddie Murphy and his wife Janet of Clements, MD; her grandchildren; Michael Murphy, Kristina Parker, Kimmie Gibson, Kathy Murphy, Brittani Murphy, Albert Murphy and Alex Murphy as well as her great-grandchildren; Alyssa Murphy, Taylor Murphy, Julia Parker, Lillian Parker, Thomas Murphy, Christopher Parker, Courtney Hume and Baby Boy Gibson.

She was preceded in death by her siblings; Ruth Madge Woodall Thompson, Joseph Ford Woodall, George Kelly Woodall, James Morris Woodall and Mary Lillian Woodall Hartnett.

Annie worked for the Hecht, Co. and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Later on with her husband, Mrs. Murphy opened Murphy's Store in Avenue, MD in January of 1949 and also operated The Old Gum Tavern and Old Eddie Bailey's Crab House. She also owned and operated three clam boats as well as maintained several oyster grounds and had a blood worm and bait route that served St. Mary's, Charles and Calvert Counties.

Annie was a charter and lifetime member of the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary that was founded in February of 1972. She served as vice-president and treasurer on numerous committees. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Maryland State Firemen's Association. She was inducted into the Ladies Auxiliary to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame in May of 2008.

The family will receive friends on Friday September 18, 2009 from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD.

Pallbearers will be Bo Bailey, Eddie Bailey, Bernard Bailey, Bob Kopel, Ronnie Mattingly and Roger White. Contributions may be left to 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.