Michelle LaBarbera Murphy

November 23, 1966 – January 21, 2022

Michelle LaBarbera Murphy, age 55, born November 23, 1966, peacefully left this earth and went home to be with Jesus on Friday, January 21, 2022 after a five year battle of pancreatic cancer. Michelle was a life-time resident of Amite, Louisiana, a graduate of Oak Forest Academy, and a member of St. Helena Catholic Church.

Michelle is survived by her soul mate, Robin Murphy, Jr., her husband of twenty-nine years; her daughter and pride and joy, Lauren Virginia Murphy; two sisters, Denise Rose and husband Steve and Lisa LaBarbera; her brother, VJ LaBarbera and wife Connie; her parents, Vince and Ann LaBarbera; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Philip and Virginia LaBarbera and Joe and Ida Tryniecki.

Michelle was a loving wife, adoring mother, and a wonderful sister and friend. She was a talented vocalist, who in her younger days enjoyed singing at weddings and other local events. She loved music, horses, and blue butterflies; but spending time with her family was her greatest love of all. She will always be remembered for her outgoing, radiant personality, and her ability to make people laugh with her sass and whit. She will be dearly missed by many as she never met a stranger.

Services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at Saint Helena Catholic Church in Amite. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church hall to be followed by a mass at the church. Graveside services immediately following at Amite Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, Michelle’s favorite charity. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Miichelle was one of my former students. There was never a dull moment with her around. The last time I saw her was as she was walking into Walmart and spotted me halfway to the back of the store. She yelled, “Hey, Mrs. Alford!” She was funny, loud, compassionate, friendly, talented, always moving and/or talking, and a well liked student by both other students and teachers.

READ AND WRITE A VERSE TODAY

January 22 – Ephesians 4:23

REMINDER

Two weeks from today, we will have an Operation Christmas Child workday in the fellowship hall of FBC, Kentwood. We will meet at 9 A.M. Please bring a snack and some items for pencil bags (pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, glue sticks, stickers, small figures of animals, etc.). If you cannot come, you can purchase some of these items and leave them in the room next to the choir room in the basement. THANKS!

Anna Lee