Griselda Riner Murphy

Griselda (Silda) Riner Murphy, age 95 of Avon Park, FL, passed away April 8, 2017. Silda was born July 24, 1921 on her family's dairy farm in the Gatewood Community near Fayetteville, West Virginia. She was the fourth of nine children born to Lud and Russie Fox Riner. She graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1940 and from Bridgewater College in 1944 with a B.A. degree in Education. Silda moved to Avon Park in 1947 and began a teaching career that would last for 45 years. After retirement, her passion for educating children continued and she was a substitute teacher for many years. Silda volunteered with the Ladies Auxiliary at Florida Hospital in Sebring, was a charter member of the Highlands County chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority, member of the Avon Park Historical Society and volunteered her time as a member of Friends of the Avon Park Library. Silda was a longtime member of Union Church in Avon Park. She was an avid reader, enjoyed working in her beautiful yard and loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. Silda was kind, generous and always thinking of others. She is survived by her two daughters, Diane (Ken) Harrison of Arcadia, FL and Janice Murphy of Avon Park, FL; grandchildren, Matthew (Fawn) Harrison of Sidell, FL and Jenny (Joshua) Wolfe of Sidell, FL; great grandchildren, Madelynn and Lane Harrison and Mia and Isabella Wolfe; sister, Ila Mae Maynor of Hico, WV; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J. C. Murphy; her brothers, Glendon, Paul, Carl and Aubrey Riner; her sisters, Clara Dooley, Jessie Wiley and Audrey Ray. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Union Church in Avon Park. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Union Church in Avon Park or Good Shepherd Hospice in Sebring.