Uncrowned Community Builders

Parmalier Dejoie Murphy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father was Paul H.V. Dejoie, Jr., an insurance executive and founder of the Unity Insurance Company, one of the first African American insurance companies in the south. Her mother was Thelma Epps Dejoie, proprietor and designer of Dejoie's Floral Shoppee. Parmalier has two sisters, Paulette Hamlet of Washington, D.C. and Ellie Jenkins of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.

Parmalier attended Xavier University of New Orleans, Louisiana and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. She was a member of the college choir, the Xavier Solidarity Club, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was awarded a special New Orleans Teacher's Certification. In the community, Parmalier became a charter member of the Black Junior League, a service organization that responded to area needs.

Parmalier also attended Meharry Medical College and obtained certification as a Medical Technologist (A.S.C.P.) and was employed by Meharry Medical College as a clinical instructor, medical technologist and research technologist. She is the author of two articles: "Detection of Lupus Erythematosis Cells" (1950), and "Eosinophil Counts in Pre and Post- Operative Surgery" (1951), both in the American Medical Association Journal. After her relocation to Buffalo, New York, she was a supervisor of Paraprofessional Programs of the University at Buffalo Urban Center. Other Buffalo work experiences include directorship of the Buffalo Negro Scholarship Foundation and working as a science teacher for the Buffalo Board of Education.

Parmalier came to Buffalo as the bride of the late Dr. Lawrence Murphy Sr. and is the mother of five and grandmother of nine. Her greatest accomplishment is the education of her children: Lawrence Murphy Jr., Parmalier Murphy, D.D.S., Paul, Marie Murphy, Esq., and Paulette Murphy.

Parmalier was a volunteer for the American Red Cross, Legion of Mary and Meals on Wheels. Other past affiliations include: Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Delta Kappa Gamma Society International - Pi State; Legion of Mary, Bishop's Committee; Our Ladies Sodality; Inner City Council of Churches, Coast Guard Auxiliary - Flotilla 3-5; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Neumann Guild; Consortium of Allied Health; and Toby's Gardeners. Her hobbies included Bridge, reading and floral design, a skill learned from her mother, a professional florist and businesswoman.

Her record of community organizations was extensive and she was active in the American Bridge Association, the American Contract Bridge League, Salvation Army, Girl Friends, Inc., The College Club of Buffalo, NAACP, St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Women's Dental Guild, Women Dental Bowling League, O'Hara School of Ikebana - Buffalo Chapter, Retired Teachers' Association, Inc., and the Buffalo Retired Teachers' Association.

She was the recipient of numerous awards including the Search and Rescue Award and the Emergency Communication Award from the Coast Guard Auxiliary; Appreciation Award as the Editor Coast Guard Newspaper; Local Bridge Tournaments trophies and Master Point credit awards; and a Certified Life Member of the American Bridge Association.

Parmalier stated: "My hope for the future is that my family will grow in love of the Lord as we grow together through the years." Her husband of 32 years, Dr. Lawrence Murphy, a dentist, died in 1984.

At the time of her death, Mrs. Murphy was 89 years old. Ironically, she died on the same day as her sister-in-law, Clyde B. Murphy.