Verna M. Murdock was born on December 12, 1938 in East St. Louis, IL to Vernon Johnson and Velma Moore. She confessed a hope in Christ at and early age and attended school in the District of 189 in East St. Louis, IL and later went to college in Belleville, IL.

Verna united in wedlock to Virgil Murdock on April 25, 1963. She worked as teacher at Pilgrim Temple (Headstart) and as a caseworker at Will McGaugh. She was preceded in death by her parents Vernon Johnson and Velma Moore, her husband Virgil Murdock, two sons DeLarrette (Larry) Johnson and Steven Murdock, and son-in-law Darren "Duke" (Patrice) Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Donna Johnson (Granite City, IL) and Patrice Jones (Belleville, IL); one sister Hallie Haywood; grandchildren Daryus, Ja'Mez, Dev'Ric, Gregory Jr. and Greylin; great-grandchildren Dakotah, Anthony, Joseph, De'Nyia, Kailee, Kaylee, Jeremiah and Johnathan; special grandchildren, Darren, Dominick, Dimitri and a host of nieces and nephews.