Rosa Nell McCafferty affectionately known as “Sweet” by everyone who knew and loved her, was born June 14, 1936 to Charlie Frank Murphy and Cordelia Hayes Murphy in Lowndes County, Alabama. She later moved to Birmingham, AL with the family. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined Nichols Temple AME Church in Ensley. She later joined Abyssinia Baptist Church in Ensley.
Sweet was educated in the Birmingham School System. She worked several jobs during the years but was most notable for her time working at the Holy Family Parrish. She was an awesome cook that never used a recipe. When asked how to cook something, she always used her fingers for measuring. Her cakes and banana pudding were signature dishes for her. Everyone that visited her home received some of her good cooking at some point.
She married Hobson McCafferty, Jr. and remained married until his passing in 1999. She is the mother of six children that she birthed and so many others that she helped to raise. Sweet’s door was always open. She welcomed everyone. If you needed a place to stay, you could definitely count on her to share her sofa with you. It is so easy to see how she got the name Sweet, because she certainly earned it in life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers (Bernard Sr., Willie Frank and Mike) and her beloved grandsons that she cherished, Chavez and Terrico Murphy.
Forever to be cherished in our hearts, she leaves precious memories to her children: Shelia Murphy, Dexter Murphy Hatten, Fernandos Murphy, Tammy Murphy Smith (Otis), Cassandra Murphy and Felisa Long, all of Birmingham. Siblings: Sarah Robinson of Southfield, MI, Fred Murphy (Diane) of Adamsville, AL, Ernest Murphy of Columbia, MD, James Murphy of Fort Deposit, AL, Charles Murphy (Angela), Theodore Murphy and Eleanor Murphy, all of Birmingham. Grandchildren: Gabrilla Murphy, Lakeisha Lapsley, Dexkitta Williams, Kiara Williams, Dexter Magwood, Maurice Pringle, LaTrell Murphy, Mar’Chay Murphy, Darius Smith, Mariah Hunter, Tykeira McCafferty and Mya Long. Eighteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. A dear friend of more than eighty years, Hulet Hunter of Birmingham. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Rosa Nell McCafferty, please visit our floral store.