Public Remembers Murphy

Dozens of mourners trickled down the Capitol steps after paying their last respects to Tom Murphy.

"He was a mover and a shaker. He got things done," said Hazel Greer who worked at the Capitol with the Speaker. She recalled one of his personal habits. "I'd go upstairs when they were passing a bill or something, and he'd have that cigar. I remember him and the cigar mostly. I mean he kept that house in order."

Murphy was famous for his cigar smoking.

Others remembered his concern for the less fortunate. Lobbyist David Tatum remembered the speaker's personal attention to a health care bill for children with disabilities.

"I thought it was pretty incredible that the speaker of the house would go to the Senate and advocate for these kids and I will always respect that," said Tatum. "The gruff exterior that you hear about that was there, but he truly had a heart of gold."

Murphy's funeral will be held tomorrow morning in Harrelson County.

Murphy memorial at capitol

Deceased Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy will lie in honor at the state Capitol on Friday. Governor Sonny Perdue announced the public memorial after the family changed its mind on strictly private services. Murphy died Monday following complications from a stroke three years earlier. He was 83.

Former Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy dies

Tom Murphy. (Governor's Office)

Governor Sonny Perdue called him a "dominant figure in Georgia politics for more than a quarter-century"--words to describe Tom Murphy, who passed away last night at the age of 83. The longtime Georgia House Speaker had been in declining health for some time according to friends. He had suffered a stroke in 2004.

Murphy served nearly three decades as House Speaker, from 1974 to 2002. A native of Haralson County, the Democrat oversaw a time with five Democratic governors, right up until the time Republicans took control of both chambers and the office of the governor.

Details for state ceremonies to honor Murphy are still being worked out. All state buildings and grounds will have flags flying at half-staff, ordered by Governor Perdue.