Jennie Sue Murdock
Jennie Sue (Johnson) Murdock passed away on November 23, 2024. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Robert Lee Johnson and Beulah Carter Johnson; maternal grandparents, Amelia Hopkins Campbell Buck and Clarence Morgan Buck; parents, Robert Fulton Johnson and Jennie Campbell Buck Johnson; brother, Robert Campbell Johnson; sister, Martha Roberta Johnson Faucher (Tom); and husband, Rev. William Frederick Murdock.
She is survived by her sister, Sheila Carmen Johnson; nieces Jessica Mawyer-Gairrison, Michelle Gairrison Catterton (Dave), and Laura Hawkes; nephews Robert Fulton Faucher (Yong Hui) and Jay Gregory Faucher; great nieces Whitney Fernandez (Carlos), Corinne Irvin (Jeff), Janice Sanders, Madeline Vojkufka (Justin), Grace Vojkufka, Alyvia Vojkufka, Marisa Baumann (Sophia), and Jocelyn Baumann; and great nephews Robert Faucher, Thomas Faucher (Rona), Cody Faucher (Justin), Trevor Faucher (Harleigh), and Andre Catterton.
Jennie Sue was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. She grew up in Bedford, Virginia, and was a second-generation member of the Bedford Firemen’s Band. She graduated from the former Bedford High School. Jennie Sue continued her education at Mars Hill College (now University) and graduated with an A.A. degree. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English at Westhampton College of the University of Richmond. After teaching eighth grade at Chester High School in Virginia, she attended the former Carver School of Missions and Social Work in Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated with an M.A. degree in social group work. She was recruited by Dr. Charles Harman, president of Bluefield College (now University), to be the school’s first director of student activities. In 1960 – 1967, during the summers, Jennie Sue directed summer camps for Women’s Missionary Union. She also attended Indiana University and graduated with honors and an M.S. in outdoor recreation and adult education.
In 1969, Jennie Sue moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to serve as the associate director of the Girl Scout Council of Central Maryland. She is a life member of the Girl Scouts. Through a mutual office friend, she met Rev. William F. (Bill) Murdock, and they were later married on September 25, 1971, in Baltimore. While living there, Jennie Sue earned her certification as a health and safety instructor with the American Red Cross and continued in volunteer teaching for 40 years.
In 1973, the couple moved to Salem, Virginia, where Bill pastored Fort Lewis Christian Church for 22 years. Jennie Sue served in the church as a teacher, deacon, elder and trustee, and was active in the Disciples Women Program. In 2009, Jennie Sue was privileged to attend the Woman to Woman Program in Colombia, South America. In 1973, she became director of the Salem Center YWCA and in 1974 was named executive director of the YWCA of the Roanoke Valley. She retired in 1989 and in 1990 became director of the Voluntary Action Center with the Council of Community Services for the Roanoke Valley until 1996.
Bill and Jennie Sue adopted a family in 1990 that lived in their neighborhood who have been a major part of their lives: Jeff Hodges (Karyn) and Cindy Schneider (Bob); and grand friends Matthew Hodges (Kelsey), Melanie Hodges (Blake), Jenna Rogan, Stephen Schneider (Emily), and Scott Schneider.
Jennie Sue served as president and treasurer of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and is a life member of the Roanoke Valley AAUW.
In 1990, Jennie Sue became an ESOL instructor with Literacy Volunteers of America/Blue Ridge Literacy and in 2023 was awarded the certificate for the Longest Serving Volunteer.
In Roanoke, she received disaster training and served the American Red Cross as a volunteer during Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane George in Puerto Rico, West Virginia floods, Roanoke area disasters, and 9-11 in New York City. She and Bill were Legacy Society members of the organization. While serving with the American Red Cross, Jennie Sue also became an instructor and received the International Services Instructor Training Award in 1999.
Jennie Sue was active in the Salem Choral Society as well as the League of Women Voters. She was president of the Roanoke Valley Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians. In addition, she was a charter member of the First Virginia Chapter National Association of Fundraising Executives.
Jennie Sue and Bill were privileged to participate in study travels to England, Israel, and Yucatan. Bill was an avid railroad buff, and the couple enjoyed several narrow-gauge trips to Colorado, New Mexico, and West Virginia.
In July 2014, the couple moved to Richfield Independent Living, now Friendship/Richfield Living. She was a part of the Richfield Chorus, Astronomy Club, and Readers Theater. Also, she served a term as facilitator for the resident monthly meetings.
Memorial gifts may be made to Fort Lewis Christian Church Good Samaritan Fund (2931 West Main Street, Salem, VA 24153); Friendship/Richfield Living Assisted Living Legacy Fund (3730 Richfield Lane, Salem, VA 24153); American Red Cross of SW VA (352 Church Ave, SW Roanoke, VA 24016); Good Samaritan Hospice (2408 Electric Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018); Roanoke Valley Branch AAUW (5209 Grandin Rd Ext., Roanoke, VA 24018); League of Older Americans (PO Box 14205, Roanoke, VA 24038); Mars Hill University Chaplaincy Fund (PO Box 370, Mars Hill, NC 28754); Lynchburg University Chaplaincy Fund (1501 Lakeside Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24501); University of Richmond Chaplaincy Fund (410 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA 23173); Bluefield University (3000 College Avenue. Bluefield, VA 24605); or United Way of Roanoke Valley (325 Campbell Avenue, SW, #3624, Roanoke, VA 24016).
Jennie Sue would like to express her appreciation to Margaret Riggs, Jerry and Linda Willis, her sister, Sheila, and the Hodges and Schneider families for walking with her through this journey. She also appreciates the support given by Dr. Carol Ann Epling (Brad), Janet Epling Shaw (Rusty), and Billy and Debbie Epling. In addition, she thanks Rev. Matt Cox and her church family and so many who have brought comfort and support.
A Celebration of Life for Jennie Sue will be held at a later date at Fort Lewis Christian Church. Inurnment will be handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem, Virginia.
