Ralph Owen Murray

VIRGILINA - Mr. Ralph Owen Murray, Sr., of Virgilina, departed his earthly home on Saturday, August 20, 2016. He was born July 2, 1925 and was 91 years old. He was the son of William Albert and Viola Glasscock Murray and was married to Barbara Anne Jones Murray for 68 years. Owen was a member of Union Christian Church, where he served as a trustee, and as head of maintenance. He was a charter/lifetime member of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, in which he was instrumental in starting the department in 1951 with friends, Jack Slagle and Fraser Murray. Owen was a fifty plus year member of Mason’s (Virgilina Lodge #248), a fifty plus year member of American Legion Post 8, a member of Woodmen of the World, and served in the United States Navy in WWII. He retired after 42 years as an electrician from Burlington Industries. Owen is predeceased in death by his parents and one brother, James Edward Murray. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of the home, one son Ralph Murray, Jr. and wife, Beverly of Virgilina, VA, one daughter, Carole Murray Tisdale and husband, Joseph of Pueblo, Colorado, one sister, Hannah Murray Hite of Virgilina, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his special caregivers Phillias Carrington, Arron Lassiter, Sandra Stone, Debra Hite, Pauline Wilkins, Sandra Claiborne, Natasha Gregory, Gayle Hilliard, Jean Hartrum, and special Hospice Nurse, Jaime Beard, RN. Prior to his decline in health, Owen enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, riding his tractor, being outside, listening to country and bluegrass music, and eating at Bojangles. Funeral services for Mr. Murray will be held at Union Christian Church in Virgilina, VA on Thursday, August 25th at 3:00PM with Pastor Norman Talley conducting the service. Visitation will be from 1:30-2:30PM prior to the funeral and other times at the home, 1192 Seventh Street, Virgilina, VA. Burial will follow at the Virgilina Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Association, PO Box 266, Virgilina, VA 24598, the Union Christian Church Building Fund, PO Box 148, Virgilina, VA 24598, or to Sentara Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave, South Boston, VA 24592.