Karen Murphy

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church in Union City, with Pastor Ron Smith officiating. Interment will follow in East View Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at noon Saturday at the church. Rawls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Karen Joyce Murphy was born Aug. 2, 1957, to Bettie L. Murphy and the late Joe Knox Bass.
She was baptized at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. After leaving the Union City area, when she returned for a visit, she always visited with her family at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church.
Karen was a graduate of Union City High School. She was a member of the class of 1975. She furthered her education at Draughon’s Business College in Paducah, Ky. After graduating, she returned to Union City and began her career as a salesperson for South Central Bell Communications. She then transferred to Bell South Communications in Paducah, Ky. After decades of service she became involved with the union, leading her to a position with C.W.A. (Communication Workers of America), which landed her in the Atlanta area. She worked as a mediator between workers and telecommunication companies.
With her time ongoing, she retired from Bell South but continued her work with C.W.A.
She leaves to cherish her memory her very devoted son, Rynara J. Murphy of Nashville; her devoted mother, Bettie L. Murphy and Sheila Bass, both of Union City; two brothers, Joe Williams of Detroit and Kim Simpson of Kenton; her god daughter, Jasmine Williams, and Miss Williams’ sister, Jada, her brother, Jakobe, and their mother, Marlena Williams; three cousins who were raised like sisters and her brother, along with their spouses, Judy (Godfrey) Jones, Robin Phelps and Jimmy (Michelle) Mosley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Knox Bass; and two brothers, Knox Eric Bass and Gary Knox Williams.
Family and friends may leave condolences at www.rawlsfuneralhomes.com.