Following her final sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, administered by Reverend Shaji Jose, H.G.N., Chaplain of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Nelvia Gaspard Murphy died surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday morning, October 20, 2026.
Born a twin with twelve additional siblings on June 22, 1940, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to parents Raymond and Telice Gaspard, she married Guy Murphy, Jr. on May 20, 1961. Their greatest joys will forever be their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A faithful, devout member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole, Louisiana, Nelvia always volunteered for church events, particularly those involving cooking. Not a wedding or baby shower could take place without her chicken and shrimp salad sandwiches and sand tarts. Family dinners included her famous cabbage rolls, chicken and dumplings, catfish courtbouillon, gumbos and pies. The door was always open to friends of her children, some of whom stayed a while, as well as she and Guy, Jr.’s families and friends.
Professionally, Nelvia worked as an aide, then clerk, at Cameron Elementary School and South Cameron High School. Hurricanes Rita and Ike escorted Nelvia, her South Cameron High School fellow staff members and students to multiple temporary campuses in Grand Lake, Creole and Lake Charles, finally landing at South Cameron High School’s permament campus. She was loved both by her co-workers and the students she served. Retirement simply provided Nelvia with more time to focus on family.
Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, Guy Murphy, Jr., sons Guy Murphy III (Gina), and Carl (Anna); grandchildren Kathryn “Kati Beth” Murphy LaVergne (Brock), Ali Murphy, John Murphy, Kami Savoie Cholley (Josh), Kalyn Savoie (Adam Jones), Kypp Knippers and Tanner Knippers (Coryn); and great grandchildren Emmi, Easton and Eden Cholley, and Aria and Alisa Knippers; brother John (Sharon) and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Nelvia was preceded in death by she and Guy, Jr.’s beloved daughter Lisa Murphy Savoie, niece Carla Primeaux, her parents, twin sister Sylvia Gaspard Guillotte Mangum, sisters Louise McCardle, Thelma Shepherd, Verda Williams, Enell Nash, Letha Cormier Vincent, Carolyn “Shonnie” Primeaux, Gerdell Theriot and brothers Glyn, Nadel, Kirby and Nolan Gaspard.
Visitation was held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 9:30-11:30am, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole, Louisiana, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 11:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Reverend Trey Ange, Pastor, at 12:00noon, followed by the Rite of Committal in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery.
Lovingly carrying Nelvia to her final resting place were pallbearers John Murphy, Brock LaVergne, Kypp Knippers, Tanner Knippers, Adam Jones, Tyler Lavergne, Grant Sanders and Shawn Bonsall. Serving as lectors were Lloyd “Choppy” Guillotte and Lillie Holstead. Mike and Frances Devall served as bearers of the bread and wine. Rosary leaders included Josie Boudreaux, Susan Boudreaux, Janice Broussard, Martha Conner, Penelope Richard and Anne Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Nelvia Murphy’s memory may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery Fund, 5250 West Creole Highway, Cameron LA 70631.
Arrangements were under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.