Obituary
Obituary for Fred Douglas Murray
Deacon Emeritus Fred Douglas Murray, 83, of Chattanooga, passed away Friday, March 1, 2024, in a local hospital. He was born December 18, 1940, to John T. Murray and Pauline Norton Murray. He attended Howard High School. Fred worked at U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company for 26 years. After retirement, he operated Fred Murray Cleaning and Lawn Service for over ten years. Fred was a faithful member of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church for over 70 years. He was awarded Deacon Emeritus on March 17, 2013, for his dedicated service to the church. On March 15, 2009, he received the “Man of the Year” at Union Hill. He was a deacon, usher, on the Men’s Ministry, faithful member of Bible Study and Sunday School, as well as on the Finance Ministry. He was the custodian for the church for over 25 years. Fred, affectionately known to his grandchildren and great grandchildren as “PaPa”, was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and role model to many of the younger men in the church and neighborhood. He was a wise man who would give spiritual and life lessons to all who knew him. This was most evident in the opportunity God allowed him on February 29, 2024, to talk to each of his children and grandchildren who were there to tell them one last time his expectations of them to be the best that they can be. His faithfulness and enduring spirit should be an inspiration to us all, as he achieved so much in his life. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, John T. and Pauline Murray; son, Van K. Murray, Sr.; three brothers, John Murray, Calvin Murray, and Curtis Murray; three sisters, Flora Flippen Ramsey, Mary Alice Bowling, and Mary Ann Murray. He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife of 59 years, Florida Murray; two sons, Kevin (fiance' Tameka Dillard) Murray of Dalton, GA and Minister Steve E. Murray of Chattanooga; 9 grandchildren, Van Murray, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Nicholas Wilson-Murray of Sacramento, CA, J’Naye (Cornelius) Norman, Shuntay Murray, Jonathan Murray, Jeovannie Murray, Orion Cosme, Shayla Lawrence, and Alexander Murray, all of Chattanooga; 13 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Tamekia Murray; sisters-in-law, Hattie Maddox, Dorothy Maddox, and Maeotha Maddox, all of Columbus, GA; brothers-in-law, Rev. Arch (Gloria) Maddox of Columbus, GA, Elder Joe B. Maddox of Knoxville, TN, and Elbert Atkins of Chattanooga; extended family, Iciephine Smith and family, James (Sybil) Miller, Junis Miller of Atlanta, GA, and Tyler Miller of Nashville, TN; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends. Fred will lie-in-state on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 12:30-5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Elder Joe B. Maddox as the eulogist. Burial in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
Lie-In-State
MAR 8. 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EST.)
Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc
3417 Wilcox Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37411
Service
MAR 9. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EST.)
Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church
1800 N Chamberlain Avenue
Chattanooga , TN 37406
Cemetery Details
Lakewood Memory Gardens East
4621 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411