Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1521 Athens, GA 30603
Arabella "Bee" Murray
December 23, 1915 ~ November 4, 2016 (age 100) 100 Years OldShare using:
Mrs. Arabella Cornelia Billups Murray was born in Athens, Georgia on December 23, 1915 to Mrs. Janie Winfrey Billups and Mr. Burrell Walter Billups. She departed this life on November 4, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Aurelius C. Murray, Sr. and her sibling, Mrs. Katie Lumpkin. She was a lifelong resident of Athens.
She attended Knox Institute and graduated from Athens High Industrial School in 1933 as class salutatorian. She was a long time devoted member of First A.M.E. Church of Athens. During her youth, she served on the Junior Usher Board and was a member of the Junior Choir. Later in life, she served on the church’s finance committee under the leadership of Reverend Clayton D. Wilkerson.
Shortly after finishing high school, Mrs. Murray was hired as a sales clerk for the Smart & Thrifty Ladies Dress Shop. She was one of Athens’ first black residents to work as a salesperson in a white owned business. Mrs. Murray also worked for the Athens Regional Library System where she retired in 1981 after 20 years of service. During her initial employment with the Library System, she served as head librarian of the Dunbar African-American branch.
On October 4, 1943, she married Aurelius C. “A. C.” Murray, the Athens District Manager of the Atlanta Life Insurance company. To this union, four children were born:Walter Murray, Aurelius C. Murray, Jr., Janice Murray, and Burrell (B.B.) Murray.
In addition to her children, she leavesto cherish her memories: daughter-in-laws Stella Murray andMary Stamper-Murray, grandchildren: Justin Blount-Murrayand Erin Nichole Murray, nieces: Patricia Taylor and Janelle Curvan, and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
