ARRIS REDDICK MURPHY

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MURPHY Arris Reddick November 22, 1960 – December 2, 2024. Arris was born in Smithville, GA to the late Jeru and Mary Ellen Reddick, and was raised in Clairton, PA. Her family were members of Morning Star Baptist Church. Along with her sister, Arris was baptized at Sunrise Service on Easter morning 1968, by the Rev. Rosmond C. Kay.

A proud member of Clairton High School's Class of 1978, Arris continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education / Marketing from Virginia Tech University in 1983. Arris earned her Juris Doctorate in Corporate Law from Widener University in 2000.

After a brief period as a middle school teacher in the Virginia Beach public schools, Arris began her professional career in financial services with Fidelity Investments out of the Dallas / Ft. Worth region, initially as a registered representative, then ascending to manager. In 1988, Arris transferred to Fidelity's infamous fishbowl, storefront office at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX). It was here she caught the eye of Tony, the love of her life, as he walked to and from work at PHLX. After a four-year courtship, they married and were blessed with one son, Robert Forrest, of Nashville, TN.

Upon leaving Fidelity, Arris became a "crew member" of the Vanguard Group, Malvern, PA. Her interest in law was piqued while working as a paralegal in The Vanguard Group's ERISA Legal Department, attending law school at night, at times accompanied by Forrest. During her tenure at Vanguard, Arris cultivated a knowledge and proficiency in retirement plan compliance and employee benefits plan administration, establishing herself as a subject matter expert throughout her legal career.

Arris' legal career achievements included: Associate Counsel at Vanguard; Associate Counsel, Potter Anderson & Corroon, LLP, Wilmington, DE; Deputy City Solicitor, City of Philadelphia Law Department; and, Senior Counsel, FedEx Corp., Memphis, TN. Arris would also establish Murphy Law, in March 2020, providing advice and counsel related to retirement plan administration.

In March 2021, the family returned to PA, settling in King of Prussia. Arris joined Infosys as the Chief Compliance Officer of Infosys' joint venture with Vanguard's Retirement Services. In March 2023, Arris was selected for the Infosys GEO Ambassador Program, one of thirty-six global employees representing their countries at a week-long program in Bangalore and Mysore India, designed to exchange thoughts, culture and best practices. Given Arris' love of travel, the experience was a highlight of her career. Arris remained at Infosys until her health declined.

Arris' professional affiliations included: Member, Tennessee and Pennsylvania Bar Associations; Contributing Editor, Advisory Board - Thompson Information Services; National Bar Association – Women's Lawyer Division (Philadelphia chapter); Philadelphia Bar Association – Employee Benefits Committee; and, IRS Mid Atlantic Area Pension Liaison Group. Arris also held memberships in Jack & Jill of America (Chester County, PA and Memphis, TN chapters) and The Carrousels (Philadelphia, PA chapter).

Arris' desire to help others was evidenced through her volunteer services to: Literacy Mid-South (Memphis, TN); CONTACT Careline for Greater Philadelphia (VP, Board of Directors); Junior Achievement Program (Guest Teacher, Elementary Schools); Mayor's Council on Literacy (Philadelphia, PA); and, Concord Academy, Memphis TN (Board of Directors).

In addition to her community service, she found great joy spending time with family, line dancing, puzzling, reading, singing, traveling, trips down the shore, as well as trips to the salon. Arris also watched soaps passionately. End-of-summer vacations to Cape May, NJ, travels to the Caribbean, Honolulu, London, Montreal, and Italy (Naples, Rome, and Sorento) forged fond memories close to her heart. Last August, Arris and Tony celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in Aruba.

Arris was preceded in death by her parents, Jeru and Mary Reddick; her father and mother-in-law, Robert T. and Marion Murphy; siblings Oliver, Rose, Jeru, Jr. (Bird), and Solomon Reddick; niece and nephew, Mecca Reddick and Montize Chapman; and dear confidant, "Sista" Sarah Webb.

She leaves to cherish her memory; devoted husband, Robert A.Murphy (Tony); beloved son, Robert F. Murphy (Forrest); her loving sister and brother-in-law, Patricia Ann (Trish) and Baldwin Dawkins; and, brother-in-law, D. Eric Murphy. Arris is also survived by nieces; Romika Fields (Meekie), Ellen P Dawkins, and Eureeka McClean, and nephews; Yadell Jones (EJ), Andre Reddick, Solomon Reddick, Jr., Eugene Reddick, and Deonte Reddick. Arris also leaves an uncle, Sonny Majors and Goddaughters, Amber Grady and Keona Rowe Blaylock(Cheri), as well as a host of cousins, great nieces and nephews, and many treasured friends.

The family sincerely thanks everyone for all the calls, cards, visits, and support shown to them during Arris' journey. The family would also like to thank the oncology nurses of the Abramson Cancer Center Perelman, 2 West, for their tirelessly compassionate and personal care. A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Arris' life on February 8, 2025, at Morning Star Baptist Church, Clairton, PA at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of floral arrangements, the family requests donations be made to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.