Judith Creel

Judith Murdock Creel, 79, died Wednesday afternoon in Brookshire Nursing Center. Judy was born April 13, 1931 in Durham and was the daughter of the late Christine James and William Henry Murdock. She was a graduate of Durham High School, St. Mary's College and Duke Uneersity. For many years, Judy was a social worker with the Durham County Department of Social Service. Mrs. Creel was first married to Clyde Pickard. In 1968, she married Frank M. Creel. Mr. Creel died in 1999. Mrs. Creel was an active member of St. Stepheneepiscopal Church since 1968. She served her church as a member of the Episcopal Church Women, Altar Guild, New Comers Committee, Young at Heart and the Receptionist Ministries. Judy was also a member of the Driftwood Garden Club, the Junior League of Durham and Orange County, Fifty Plus Travel Club, Daughters of the Americaneevolution, Republican Women and was a Life Member of the Durham Regional Hospital Auxilliary. Judy loved her voluneer work, gardening, painting, reading, bridge, sewing, and travels to Emerald Isle. Judy will be missed for the smile she had for everyone and she enjoyed a good joke. Judy was very close to her daughter, Chris and her two grandchildren, Jordan and Ryland Bishop were her whole life. They talked everyday. Surviving are three daughters, Christine P. Bishop husband, Neil of Durham; Kathy Creel Pope and fianeeacute; Curtis Umphlett of Durham and Jo Creel Jerman and husband, William of Morehead City; two grand children, Jordan and Ryland Bishop of Durham; a brother, William "Red" Murdock and wife, Sylvia of Durham; 3 nephews and 2 nieces and her Dachshund, Gretel, who neer left her side. Mrs. Creel was predeceased by her sister, Patricia Hutchings. Memorial services will be held 11 AM, Thursday, July 15, 2010, at St. Stepheneepiscopal Church. Burial will be in St. Stepheneepiscopal Church Cemetery. The Rev. Robert Kaynor will preside. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall after the service. Memorials may be made to St. Stepheneepiscopal Church, 82 Kimberly Drive, Durham, NC 27707 or Duke Community Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704. If you would like to bring food to the family, please bring the food to the church on Thursday for the reception.