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Obituary For Ms. Eloise H. Murray
Funeral services for Ms. Eloise H. Murray, 92, of 131 Greenwood Avenue, Orangeburg, will be held 11:00am, Friday, January 27, 2023, at Church of God In Christ, Inc. (COGIC) Headquarters, 1339 Coulter Road, St. Matthews, SC (Jamison Community), with interment to follow in Belleville Memorial Gardens. Pastor Leon Ross, Jr. is officiating.
Mrs. Murray will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Mrs. Eloise Lorraine Hampton Murray of 131 Greenwood Avenue, Orangeburg, entered into eternal rest on January 18, 2023, at the Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg.
In the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Such powerful words aptly describe the life well lived by Eloise Murray.
Eloise was born to the late Reverend and Mrs. James Wade (Wilhemenia Busby) Hampton. She was an exceptional student, receiving her primary and secondary education in the public schools of Orangeburg. Eloise graduated with “highest honors” from South Carolina State College in 1951, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, with a minor in French, and certification in World History. In 1959, she earned a Master of Science Degree in Education. Mrs. Murray was a prolific English and World History high school teacher for over 35 years in Orangeburg School District Five. She was also Chair of the English Department and Advisor to the Student Council and Senior Class. Additionally, she taught Humanities in the Upward Bound program at Claflin University from 1967 to 1987. After her retirement from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and the Upward Bound Program, Mrs. Murray worked at the South Carolina State University Care Center & Teacher Education Program from 1992-1996. She was instrumental in the preparation of teachers to successfully pass the National Teacher Examination.
Instilled with a strong religious influence from her parents, Eloise accepted Christ as her personal savior at a very early age, was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church for many years, and later affiliated with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Under the leadership of Reverend Henry T. Williams, Sr., Eloise served on numerous auxiliaries and ministries including: the Baptist Training Union; Sunday school teacher; member of the Senior Choir; and advisor to the Youth Gospel Choir founded by her sister, Etta Carmichael. For a few years, she pledged her membership to St. Peter COGIC under the leadership of Pastor James G. Brown, Jr. until she joined Bowman Temple COGIC when Dr. Alonzo Johnson was the Senior Pastor. She was very active in the women’s ministry, both locally and at the district level. With deep and abiding faith, spiritual insight, transformational leadership, and a heart for service; she was elevated to Church Mother at Bowman Temple.
She married Louis E. Murray and together they nurtured and raised three children: Gail, Geoffrey, and Maria. With an emphasis on family and education, she exemplified what it means to have a strong work ethic and a zest for learning. Her legacy and impact on education can be seen in her children, who like her are, “loyal sons and daughters” of South Carolina State University.
Over the course of her life, Eloise was active in many civic and service organizations some of which include: the Wilkinson High School and South Carolina State Alumni Associations, the NAACP, and the National Education Association. On May 20, 1986, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Zeta Omega Chapter. Eloise was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Eula “Rae” Hampton McMichael and Etta Julia Hampton Carmichael. She is survived by her three children: Gail Valerie Murray Jenkins (Christopher, Sr.) of Newport News, Virginia; Geoffrey Louis Murray of Orangeburg; and Etta Maria Lorraine Murray Brown (Curtis) of Miami, Florida. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Susanna Hampton Thorne of Bethesda, Maryland and Dr. Jimmie L. Hampton Winningham of Orangeburg. She loved and cherished her five grandchildren: Monique Simone Jenkins-Fuller (Jack), Christopher Edwin Jenkins, Jr., Erin Nicole Jenkins Miller (George), Morgan Berniece Jenkins Moody (Steven) and Cameron Ahmad Brown. She shared many memorable moments with them including birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays, and weekend visits. The true joys of her heart in her later years were her eight great-grandchildren: Jaden Christopher, Jackson Bruce, Christopher Alejandro, Jace Tyler, Mariah Gail, George David IV, Gavin Dean, and Charlotte Marie. “Nana” as they called her will be remembered for her warm smile, hugs, and kisses. Family was extremely important to Eloise, and she will be missed greatly by her nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and caregivers.
The family is thankful for the love and spiritual support provided by Pastor Leon Ross, Jr. and the Bowman Temple COGIC family. Of particular note, special thanks to caregiver and close family friends, Mary Jenkins and Lillie Sowell, and also her loving and giving caretakers: Vivian Booker, Jewel Bryant, Louzinia Robinson, Vivien Snell, and Tywanna Townsend.
A public viewing will be held on Thursday, January 26th, from 1:00-6:00 pm and family visitation from 5:00-6:00 pm at Simmons Funeral Home, 2868 Columbia Road, Orangeburg, SC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to South Carolina State University, (Designation “Other”) and specify “In Memory of Eloise Murray Class of 1951,” in honor of the Class of 1951. https://scstateconnect.scsu.edu/sslpage.aspx?pid=378 or the Bowman Temple COGIC Mobile Food Pantry via Cash App ($BOWMANTEMPLE315).
Due to the coronavirus, masks are mandatory for all services and other safeguards may be required at each venue. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
The family respectfully requests no visitors at the residence. Friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory, Orangeburg, SC.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.simmonsfuneralhome.com
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Garden of Memories was sent for Ms. Eloise H. Murray - January 26, 2023
Always Graceful Basket was sent for Ms. Eloise H. Murray - January 26, 2023
God bless & keep you all strong & lifted as each day passes. Mrs. Murray lived a glorious life & left an indelible legacy. Cherish her forever, for she's with you always in spirit. May your beloved matriarch RIH. The Salley, Magee, Davis, Jeter & Bolar Families
May your hearts feel the comfort and tender mercies of God, the caring love of friends,the cherished memories and the many uplifting prayers on the transition of your mother, Mrs. Eloise H. Murray, to her place in heavenly peace.
I wish God's grace and comfort to you, Chris and children, Geoffrey, Maria and All the family. Leonard Bodrick
My sincere condolences to the family of Eloise Murray. Eloise and I taught at O-W High School. Indeed, she was a thorough, dedicated teacher. She impacted the lives of many students.
We will sadly miss her....Nettie Jennings Johnson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Maria Murray Brown and your family in the transitioning of your beloved mother, Mrs. Murray. May the God of all Comfort sustain and keep you in days to come as you will no longer experience normalcy without your dear loved one. Know that God is always with you even though your mother is not. We will continue to pray your strength. Love you always. Bishop Steve O. & Annette Williams Bulloch
My Deepest Condolences and sympathy to the whole family. God Bless you all. Kateriana Fernandez
My deepest sympathies to the family of Ms. Murray. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Ariel Townsend
Good morning Soror Ginger, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your
To the Family, I know words can't take away your sense of loss, but I'm hoping you can find some comfort in knowing the memories you shared are forever.
Wandra Y Carey SCSU Alumni
Good morning Soror Ginger, To the Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know words can't take away your sense of loss, but I'm hoping you can find some comfort in knowing the memories you shared are forever.
Wandra Y Carey SCSU Alumni
To the Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know words can't take away your sense of loss, but I'm hoping you can find some comfort in knowing the memories you shared are forever🙏🏾
Wandra Y. Carey SCSU Alumni
Deepest Sympathy is sent to the Murray and Hampton Families on the loss of Mrs. Murray. She was one of my best teachers at Wilkinson High School. I will never forget her! Virginia Gamble Frazier
To the Murray and Hampton Families, I wish to express my sincere condolences and expressions of love for each of you. Mrs. Murray was one of my best teachers. I will always remember he "sweet, sweet spirit. May God bless you all. Formal Student, Virginia Gamble Frazier
My deepest condolences to the family during this time you are in my prayers. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Irene Hill
Our Deepest Condolence to the Murray Family from the Rush, Morgan and Glaster Families.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The McCrimmon Family
I am stricken by passing of Ms. Murray. She taught me Humanities at Upward Bound. She was inspiring indeed. I learned much from her, including things our history books excluded. I remember her being so happy for me when I told her I was accepted to and will attend USC. I talked about her to others as moved forward to university life and beyond. Never will I forget her. I really respected her. A great jewel has now returned to be with God. Thank you, Ms. Murray. And thank God most of all for blessing us with you. My deepest sympathies to the family. -Jezreel Sweat
My deepest condolences to the family. My prayers are with you. Randy R Spratling
My deepest condolences and continuous prayers to the family, especially, my Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror E. Maria Brown. Love and Light on her path as Ms. Eloise Hampton Murray continues her journey. May her candle continue to shine perpetually.
To the Murray and Hampton family, my sincere condolences and prayers to you in the loss of your mom. Mrs. ELOISE MURRAY was a choir advisor at St. Paul Baptist Church when I sang on the Youth Gospel Choir. She also taught me in high school at OW HIGH. I learned so much from her and now write and edit my own books. Her love for children inspired me as a teacher while I taught in Richland One schools. She will always be remembered by my family as a phenomenal mother and woman. Love you al to eternity..Rev. Dr. Angela Williams...Columbia, SC
With Deepest sympathy Ruth Copeland
My deepest condolences and continuous prayers to the family. May her candle continue to shine perpetually.
My sincere condolences are extended to the Murray family. I will be keeping the family in my prayers. Delgado's Family
Her love is always with you. Heyward & Millicent Stackhouse
Beloved Murray Family: We are saddened that dearly beloved Mother Eloise Hampton Murray has fallen asleep. Yet, we celebrate triumphantly the indelible mark and legacy Miss Eloise left. As our teacher, extended Mother of the village and church, choir adviser, Sunday School teacher, worshipper, influencer, Christian, and heir of Salvation, we hope that our love for her and for you will give you comfort and peace. Mrs. Murray, from a family of faith, believed and lived The Word that we "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." We believe and know "that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). We celebrate that Mother Murray cherished and refreshed our lives and all she encountered, for which we give Praise To God for her long life. May she sleep Divinely until the trump sounds. The Cummings Family
My sincere condolences is extended to the Murray family.Mrs.Murrays presence was radiant,we couldn't help but notice her,in church and at school,her wonderful memories will be cherished,Anthony Lawson and family.
My prayers to the family of Mrs Murray. She taught at my high school and we were roommates at an NEA convention in Los Angeles. 🙏🏾
To The Family Of Ms. Eloise H. Murray, I Send Love And Prayers, For Comfort And Strength!!! I Remember Her As A Dedicated Church Member At Saint Paul On Windsor Street, Under The Leadership Of Rev. Dr. H T Williams. Ms.,Murray Was Also My 9th Grade Teacher At Wilkinson. She Will Be Missed.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
