Eugenia Bush Murphy

Eugenia Bush Murphy was born in Birmingham AL January 20, 1930 and died in Covington GA May 9, 2023. She was an enthusiastic traveler and forged connections in many parts of the world, though her family roots and home were in Covington.

Eugenia graduated from Mary Baldwin College and the University of Georgia, where she majored in Journalism. She later received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Nova University.

Eugenia defied the social norms of her day by flying to Korea in the 1950’s to work for the American Red Cross. She met her future husband, Joseph Patrick Murphy, while working in Morocco. They married in Tampa, FL in 1961 and their daughter Eileen Glenn-Dwyer Murphy was born the following year.

Eugenia and Joe moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania to Florida, where they lived for over 45 years. Eugenia taught elementary school and was a social worker. Her life and Joe’s revolved around their daughter’s care as she was born with cystic fibrosis. They always put her health and well-being in the forefront.

After Eileen’s death at nineteen, Eugenia and Joe worked together to rebuild their lives. They threw themselves into mentoring activities, renewing friendships, and travelling to lesser-known spots. Eugenia painted and was commissioned to paint donors’ portraits for a local hospital. She wrote and published poetry and attended workshops. She did extensive genealogy research with her sister, Julia, when Eugenia and Joe moved back to Covington in 2007. Eugenia researched her extended family’s roots through many generations in Covington, and made an enduring family friendship right down the block.

When Joe died in 2012, Eugenia joined St. Augustine’s Catholic Church among other pursuits. There she found comfort and a second home. Years later when ill, she found herself blessed as numerous parishioners (who became friends) visited and called regularly. One special friend in particular visited almost daily. Eugenia had caretakers who put her needs above theirs, one of whom took care of her over two years. She also had the care and support of Abbey Hospice, especially her dedicated nurse.

Eugenia is survived by her niece Amy Jordan Guard (Bruce Scott), their sons Andrew S. Guard (Diana) and Bruce Jordan Guard; and their children Isaiah Laurence Guard and Olivia Mary Guard.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, to be followed by a private burial.

This obituary was prepared with love and affection by Eugenia's family.