Thelma Marie Murphy of Charlotte Hall, MD, died on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Gladys Spellman Specialty Unit in the Laurel Regional Hospital in Laurel, MD. She was 88 years old.

Mrs. Murphy lived and worked on the family farm where she continued to can and freeze food from her garden up until she became ill this year. She enjoyed watching many species of birds at her bird feeders, playing cards (especially pitch and rummy), weekly Sunday family dinner get-togethers, helping to raise all her grandchildren, and especially enjoyed being with family and friends. Her home was always open to visitors. She was of the Methodist faith and attended the La Plata United Methodist Church.

Daughter of the late Laura Christianne Ward and the late Walter Emmett Shoemaker Sr.

Predeceased by her parents; her husband, the late James Aloysius Murphy; her brother, the late Walter E. Shoemaker Jr.; and her daughter-in-law, the late C C Murphy.

Survived by her daughters Patricia Elaine Thomas and her husband Allen of Charlotte Hall, MD and Cheryl Lynn Lehman and her husband Richard of Charlotte Hall, MD; her sons James Ronald Murphy and his wife Pat of Key Largo, FL and Kenneth Warren Murphy of Golden Beach, MD; her brother Philip Shoemaker and his wife Priscilla of FL; and her sister Virginia Worsham of NC. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Gladys Murray, Rita Murphy, and Lorraine Murphy, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 10AM until time of Funeral Service at 11:30AM at Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Clergy: Reverend Bruce Jones. Interment: Private at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Dentsville Volunteer EMS and Auxiliary, Inc. (PO Box 109, La Plata, MD 20646) or to Hospice of Charles County (PO Box 1703, La Plata, MD 20646).

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.