Mercedes Clara Davis Murphy was born June 28, 1928 in Clarkesville, she was the daughter of the late Clara Harris Davis and Henry Davis, the Standard Telephone Pioneer. She transitioned June 25, 2020, in Aventura, Florida at the home of her daughter.
Her elementary education was acquired in Habersham County, but because there were no secondary schools for African Americans, her parents sent her to Atlanta where she lived with her uncle's family and attended the historic B. T. Washington High School. After graduation she attended Morris Brown College.
In the late 1940's, she joined the Great Migration moving to New York City where she made her home until her death.
Mercedes was employed by Conde Nast Publications. After her retirement she served, many years, as a volunteer at Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Traveling, reading and physical fitness were her passions. She often said the most memorable trips were the one she made with her sisters. Mercedes was a voracious reader. She also loved exercising, and her agility was proof of her dedication to physical fitness.
Mercedes was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Johnny. Survivors include her daughter, Lisa (Larry) Hendrix; grandchildren, Mariah and Marcello. She is also survived by her sisters, Jeannene Gosey of Lawrenceville, and Lucy Bland of Chandler, Arizona.
Final arrangements were provided by Levitt-Weinstein.