Obituary of Thomas Lewis Murray

COLUMBIA: Thomas Lewis Murray, Sr., of Columbia entered into rest, Friday, February 8, 2013, at Palmetto Health Baptist. Born Sunday, April 24, 1921, he was a son of the late Arthur Russell and Janie Mae Gardner Murray. Mr. Murray was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he joined the Army at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Mr. Murray was stationed in England, Belgium, was present at the Battle of the Bulge, and was also stationed in France where he was attached to the Assembly Area Command. In 1946 he was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain. Following his military service, he worked for the Southern Bell Telephone Company in various accounting positions and after 32 years of service he retired. Mr. Murray was an award winning and active member of the Telephone Pioneers for over 30 years. His major focus with the Pioneers was performing volunteer repair services for the South Carolina State Library, specifically for The Talking Book Service. In addition to his parents, Mr. Murray was preceded in death by his first wife Virginia P. Murray, as well as his second wife, Birdie G. Murray; sister, Lenora M. Hollingsworth; and brother, Russell E. Murray. He is survived by his son, Thomas L. Murray, Jr., of Elgin; grandson, Lee Thomas Murray, of Lexington; sister-in-law, Julia P. Murray, of Anniston, AL; and four nephews. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 10:00 A.M., in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209, with Pastor Todd Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00 P.M., on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, in Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia SC 29209. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, South Carolina 29206, or to a charity of your choice. He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.