Dr. Angela Lavon Murtagh

With deepest sympathy, we announce the passing of Dr. Angela Lavon Murtagh of 701 Tulip Drive, Fort Valley, Georgia, who passed on September 19, 2022.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Willow Lake Memorial Garden Cemetery in Fort Valley, Georgia

Please keep the Murtagh Family in your prayers during this trying time.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted in the care of CJ Edwards Funeral Home, "Serving Since 1929."

Angela Lavon Murtagh, age 64, of Fort Valley, was taken from us in a tragic motor accident on September 19 while driving her grandson to a doctor’s appointment - a task that exemplified the life of service to which Angela dedicated herself - day in, day out. 

Angela was an adjunct professor at Fort Valley State University, a job she revered; she treasured her students and her colleague/husband/best friend Jerry Murtagh, who was also a professor at the university.

Angela was born in 1958 to Willie Frank Rucker and Doris McKenzie Rucker, the second oldest of nine siblings. She had two children with the late Benedict Ekpeyong Iyamba Umoh (Udom and Jann) and one child with Jerry (Michael). She adored her children and her grandchildren (Rachel and Reign) with all of her heart. Angela prioritized family above all else and felt blessed to have such a large and passionate one to embrace daily.

A loving mother and homemaker, Angela was a remarkable cook who enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, especially over the holidays. Fond memories of her delicious sweet potato pie will endure - but the recipe remains a well-kept secret despite the efforts of so many.

Angela was always an educator at heart - kind and soft-spoken, making time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. Her give-and-take discussions with Jerry around the kitchen table on a host of issues - political and otherwise - are both legendary and reflective of the Murtagh spirit. 
 
Angela was also a deeply spiritual person, who saw the good in people and constantly strove for the best in herself and others.

Her’s was a life of giving and caring for others, and she would want us all to know that, while her work here is done, her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing, dancing, cooking and cheering for her favorite football teams - even the Falcons. It will be a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time, where job security is 100 percent and music, laughter and love are guaranteed. Food is delicious and you never gain an ounce. She left her husband, children, and grand-children to celebrate her mission here, which has now been completed.

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