|
April 27, 1933 - April 15, 2005 71 Years 11 Months 19 Days
Josephine was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri School District attending Yates
Elementary, R.T. Cole Vocational Jr. High and Lincoln High School. She had a lifetime of
orthopedic problems that lead to a hip operation as a child and then as an adult.
During the early forties, Jo was operated on and had to remain in a body cast for several
months. The experience of being in Wheatley-Providence Hospital lead her to vow to never
again eat another bowl of cold gray matter (oatmeal); however, in the last few years, she
reneged on that vow. By the time she recuperated and returned to elementary school, she had
missed more than a year. She would have been in the graduating class of 1950 from Lincoln High School.
Josephine was employed by Minlan's Furs, Chasnoffs & Adiers Department Stores and retired
from the General Services Administration Federal Supply. She received many certificates,
awards and citations for her superior work during her career of over 36 years of service.
While employed with the government, she had been the Union President of the National Federation
of Federal Employees, Region 6, Local #1642 for over 18 years and performed numerous job duties,
including being a Supervisor and finally a Branch Chief.
Her fun activities included the casinos, gardening, cooking, reading, and travel to such
places as Hong Kong, Switzerland, Gambia, Hawaii, and Senegal, Africa. Jo loved to laugh
and make others laugh. She loved her family dearly and unconditionally. Josephine was a
lifetime member of the N.A.A.C.P. and a former member of the Merry Madonna's.
 As a child, she attended First A.M.E. Church in Kansas City, Kansas and later St.
Augustine Episcopal Church and then joined Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ in
1969 under the late Reverend Henry Lawson. Over the years at the church, she had been
on the Young Women's Board, member and former president of the Trustee Board,
Inspirational, Adult and Mass Choirs, Missionary Board No. 2 (of which her mother
was the first President), Pledge Committee, and the Upper Room Ministry. She also
worked with the Radio Broadcast Club and served as one of the "Readers" for the
11:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship church announcements. She also helped assemble
Thanksgiving baskets and acted with the Metre Players.
She loved to attend Wednesday morning bible class, marveling at Bishop James D.
Tindall Sr. and Reverend Lucien B. Smith's teaching. In addition, Sister Murray
looked forward to being in her Sunday school class taught by her adopted little
sister, Louella Henderson. Also at church, along with Rita Knott and Sharon Ramsey,
she was known as one of the "Three Musketeers". She loved her church family and
supported her church in every way she could.
Josephine leaves to cherish her fond memories: her three sons, Larr J. Murray Sr.,
Kevin E. Murray and John D. Murray; five grandchildren, Lisa M. Murray, Larry J.
Murray Jr., Latrice T. Murray, Brittany Johnson and Kaylin Murray, all of the City;
one great grandchild of Atlanta, Georgia, Eric B. Kyle II;
a daughter-in-law, Camealia A. Murray; great grandchild, Michael Sutherland III;
and a host of adoptive sons, cousins, and friends.
|