News Summary

Gladys Fowler Murphy, a beloved educator with a 45-year teaching career, passed away at 96, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion to her family and community. Her passionate dedication to education influenced the lives of countless students, and her families’ ties to animals led to memorial contributions in her honor. A funeral service is scheduled in Augusta, providing an opportunity for friends and former students to pay their respects.

Augusta, GA

Gladys Fowler Murphy, a cherished educator and family matriarch, passed away on August 4, 2025, at the age of 96, after a prolonged illness at the home of her daughter, Kim Jefferson, in Cumming, GA. Her passing has left a profound impact on her family and community.

Born on December 1, 1928, in Blackshear, GA, in Pierce County, Gladys was the youngest daughter of William A. Fowler, Sr., and Cornelia Coleman Fowler. She was preceded in death by her siblings Beatrice (Clarence) Wynn and William A. Fowler, Jr. (Pauline). Throughout her life, she was deeply committed to her vocation and family.

Gladys dedicated an impressive 45 years to teaching. Her teaching career began in Bacon County, Alma, GA, where she worked for four years before relocating to Augusta, GA, in 1952 to join her husband, Winton Murphy, whom she married on August 30, 1947. In Augusta, she became a part of the inaugural staff at Roy E. Rollins Elementary School, where she taught until her retirement in 1984. Following her retirement from public school, she continued her passion for education by working for 11 years at Hillcrest Baptist Church School.

Her dedication to education was matched only by her love for her family. Gladys was the proud mother of three children: Carol Lynn, born June 30, 1948; Bill Winton, born August 30, 1954; and Kim Charlene, born August 14, 1964. In addition to her children, she leaves behind a legacy of seven grandchildren, including Scott (Monica) Taylor, Anne Rachels, Vaughn Taylor, the late Jennifer (Michael) Labant, Alisa (Chris) Wisner, Summer Jefferson, and Reid Jefferson, as well as ten great-grandchildren: Asia, Logan, Winton, Perseus, Madelynn, Jackson, Taylor, Payton, Locklyn, and Vanilla Taylor.

Her funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 2 PM, at Thomas Poteet & Son in Augusta, GA. Friends and former students are invited to visit and pay their respects on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 7 PM to 9 PM. Active pallbearers will consist of family members from various locations, including Alma, Augusta, Roswell, Evans, Cumming, and Suwanee, GA. The services will be officiated by Reverend Jimmy Fowler and Reverend Thomas Hammond, with interment following at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta, GA.

In honor of her memory and passion for helping animals, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Southern Souls Rescue in Harlem, GA.

Throughout her life, Gladys Fowler Murphy influenced the lives of countless students and family members, earning a deep and abiding affection from those who knew her. Her contributions to education and her dedication to family will be cherished and remembered by her community.

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Additional Resources

• Legacy: Gladys Fowler Murphy Obituary
• Wikipedia: Education
• Ingram Funeral Home: Betty Bennett Obituary
• Google Search: Gladys Fowler Murphy
• Ingram Funeral Home: Judy Orr Obituary
• Google Scholar: Education in Georgia
• Legacy: Dagmar Modrzejewski Obituary
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Teacher
• Ingram Funeral Home: Mary Dutton Obituary
• Google News: Education News

Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER

AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.