Glenda Murphy

Sister Glenda Lorraine (Elam) Murphy was born in Pontiac, Michigan on July 2, 1969 to District Elder Willie George, Sr. and Lady Ida Christine Elam. She departed this life early on the morning of Saturday, February 22, 2020 in Pontiac, Michigan.

Sister Glenda grew up in a loving home, filled with the memories of her hard-working parents and sixteen siblings. She attended Pontiac Public Schools and graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1988. She furthered her education at Oakland Community College in Sign Language Studies.

As a teenager, she repented of her sins, was baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of her sins and received the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). She devoted her entire life to Holiness. Sister Glenda was a faithful member at Christ Temple Church of Pontiac, Michigan, pastored by her father and served in various auxiliaries: Young Peoples (Chairlady), Choir, Hospitality, and the Kitchen (her favorite place to be).

Sister Glenda met and married the love of her life, Brother Timothy Alan Murphy on December 19, 1992 in Pontiac, Michigan. They resided in Freeland, Michigan. From this union were born three sons, Timothy Alan II, Joshua Caleb and Josiah Paul, and one beautiful daughter, Christian Joy. All four children also have been born again of the water and spirit and pursue Holiness.

She served in numerous capacities with her husband at Bethlehem Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith in Saginaw, Michigan, pastored by District Elder Curtis Johnson. There was no auxiliary which her presence did not touch. Her range of ministry spanned across every generation. The products of her kitchen skills were good enough to “join the Church”!

Sister Glenda also served faithfully in the Northern District Council Young Peoples Union (NDCPYPU) and Missionary & Christian Women’s Auxiliaries. In 2016, she received the distinguished Pentecostal Royal Ruby Award at the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) Summer Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. She was also one of the twelve initial members of Sisters Abiding in Love and Truth (S.A.L.T.).

Sister Glenda was an entrepreneur of the 3 “C’s”: Mama G’s Sweet Treats and Catering, Glenda’s Special Touch Cleaning Services, LLC and The Little Peoples Childcare Center. In addition, she was employed by the Saginaw Township Community Schools and Speedway, LLC. Sister Glenda’s final ministry was devoted to the full-time care of her beloved 92-year-old mother at her residence in Pontiac, Michigan. She will be truly missed for she was a Woman of EXCELLENCE!

Sister Glenda was preceded in death by her father, District Elder Willie George Elam, Sr. and father-in-law, Robert Murphy, Jr.

She is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Timothy Alan “Honey” Murphy; four children, Timothy Alan II (Rasheeda), Christian Joy, Joshua Caleb, and Josiah Paul Murphy; mother, Ida Christine Elam; sixteen siblings, Willie George Jr.(Katie Mae), Walter Thomas (Peggy Anne), Mary Christine (William Floyd) Jones, Roland Alfonzo Sr. (Martha Ann), Elizabeth Ann (Radell) Freeman, James Franklin Sr. (Michelle Denise), Norman Lee (Christine Gaddis), Nathaniel Lewis Sr. (Audrey Fay), Deborah Renee Elam-Moss, Melvin Andrew (Sarah Louise), Alice Juanita, Shirley Lenora (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy, Carl Anthony (Jennifer), Carla Annette, Earl Dwight (LaDonna) and Riley Terrance Elam; mother-in-law, Neila C. Murphy; brother-in-law, Pastor Robert III (Karen) Murphy; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and close friends from near and far.

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