Terry Murphy, former Editor and Assistant Editor of Southern Voice newspaper in the mid 1990s, died June 14, 2016, from natural causes attributed to cardiovascular disease.
Terry graduated from the Newhouse School of Journalism at Syracuse University.
His journalism career began as a reporter at the Saratogian, a regional newspaper. He soon found his way to New York and Fairchild Publications, where he worked in writing and editing roles on several magazines – covering fashion, golf, travel and leisure. He concluded his career as editor of several VNU Business Publications.
Terry was a tireless advocate for the transgender community and was a founding Board Member of the Southern Comfort Conference. Teri was a prominent out transperson, a regular contributor and member of the International Foundation for Gender Education and other groups focused on advancing the cause of individual dignity, protection and understanding of all people. In this way, Teri touched the lives of countless individuals worldwide. Over the course of her twenty-five plus years devoted to these causes, the national dialog about LGBT rights has expanded to a point that would have been hard to imagine in 1990. Teri was quick with a kind word; a friend to all, and a voice for the marginalized.
“Terry was that rare person who could make me laugh at myself and enjoy it,” said Chris Cash, Executive Editor of Southern Voice in the mid 1990’s and current Managing Partner of Georgia Voice. “He was a treasure to the newspaper, to his community and to his friends. Truly, Terry was one of a kind. He will be so greatly missed.”
Terry, to his delight, was also a late-in-life father. Charmed by his daughter, Chloe Anne Murphy Symmes, he cherished every moment he shared with her.
He is survived by his daughter Chloe Anne Murphy Symmes, of Atlanta, GA; brothers Brian Murphy (Maureen) of Hamden, CT; brother Dennis Murphy of Asheville, NC; brother Michael Murphy (Susan] also of Asheville, NC and their daughter, Margaret Rose.
A memorial celebration of Terry’s life will be held in the Greater Atlanta Area in the near future – the date had not been determined at the time of this publication.