Mrs. Jana Marie Murphy

Jana Marie Caldwell Murphy was welcomed into this world at 5:55 P.M. on Friday, April 29, 1977, at Harrisburg Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She brought sunshine into the lives of her family from the moment she entered this world. She was the first and only daughter born to the union of Karen and Maurice Caldwell. Jana accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior on June 24, 1991, and became a member of St. Jacob’s Kimmerlings Church, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In the Fall of 2011, she began attending the Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She loved the Lord and encouraged her friends to worship with her. Jana grew up in Harrisburg where she attended the Harrisburg Public Schools and graduated from Harrisburg High School in June 1995. She was very active in her high school years. She was a member of the SBI Program, the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Student Council, Secretary of the Cougar Den, Peer Counselor, member of the Big Sister Program, and Second Runner-Up on the Homecoming Court. She played the flute in the Harrisburg ‘Cougar’ Marching Band and served as its President. Upon graduation from high school, she furthered her education at Cheyney University through 1996. She then transferred to York College of Pennsylvania and graduated in December 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. In 1999, Jana met the love of her life, Andre Murphy. On January 23, 2002, they were blessed with Jana’s greatest accomplishment and most precious gift, Malaysia Kristyne Murphy. Malaysia is Jana’s pride and joy and Jana’s legacy lives on through her. Malaysia has the spirit, the love of life, the strength and the courage of her mother. Jana will smile upon her and watch over her for eternity. Jana had a passion for all children and was employed in 2000 by Gaudenzia where she was able to work with troubled youth. She moved on to become a TSS at Youth Advocate and also worked at Ron Brown Charter School. She firmly believed that discipline is a valuable part of education for without discipline there is no learning. Her students loved and respected her. When Ron Brown Charter School closed, she decided to open Miss Jana’s Family Day Care for infants through kindergarten. Discipline, education, ‘fun’ time and love became a part of these children’s lives. Jana knew that a structured life was essential to building character and respect for others. While she was an enforcer of her rules, she also loved these children with a heart of gold. Miss Jana was called home before she could say goodbye to her ‘kids,’ but they will always feel her presence in their lives. Jana loved life, and she loved her family and friends. She was the most caring and unselfish person in all our lives. She never forgot a birthday or an anniversary and was always the first to call when you needed her. She would cry with you, laugh with you, and she’d never leave without saying, “I love you.” As she battled with her illness, she never complained. She was grateful for the many days she felt well and would tolerate the days when she wasn’t well. No one understood or knew the seriousness of the illness that suddenly took her from us, but God knew and He called her home. At 8:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 1, 2013, Jana left us to move on to her next journey of eternal life. Her smile will now light up the heavens as it had brought joy and light in our lives. She leaves to cherish and celebrate her life her loving husband, Andre Murphy; her precious daughter, Malaysia; her stepdaughter, Zhayda; her Godson, Rodney Ramsey Jr.; parents, Maurice and Karen Caldwell; grandmother, Eva Peiffer; brothers, Adrian and James Caldwell of Harrisburg, and Kirk Caldwell of Nashville, Arkansas; sisters, Tonya Jean Blount, Clarise Dena Wallace (brother-in-law, Kenneth); nieces, Naiera Caldwell, Casey Caldwell and Tiffany Hunter; nephew, Adrian Caldwell; and a host of extended family and friends. Jana was our Sunshine, our Joy and our Most Precious Gift from God! Lovingly Submitted by Jana’s Family Jana’s life will be celebrated at 12 Noon, Friday, June 7th, at Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church, 2217 Derry Street, Harrisburg, with viewing from 10 A.M. to 12 Noon and interment at William Howard Day Cemetery.

Tributes

Mrs. Jana Marie Murphy

April 29, 1977 - June 1, 2013