Virginia Murray

Jan. 31,1925 – May 2, 2011

Virginia Ruth Murray, 86, of Sweet Home died May 2, 2011.

She was born Jan. 31, 1925 to Eugene and Retta (Abbott) Horton at her grandparents’ home during a snowstorm in Hanston, Kan. She was the oldest of four, with three younger brothers, Larry, Dale and Dean.

Her dad worked for the railroad and the Farmers’ Coop, delivering grain and gas to farmers. Her mother, Retta, was a school teacher. At 22 months old, Mrs. Murray contracted polio, which led to surgery. When she was 6, she placed her faith in Jesus Christ, glorifying Him in everything she did.

As a little girl, she and her cousin, Betty, played paper dolls. They pretended to be movie stars. Betty was Loretta Young and Virginia was Ginger Rogers. As a paper doll, Mrs. Murray could dance up a storm.

In 1941, Mrs. Murray’s family moved to Portland, where she finished her last two years of school at Franklin High School. She then worked for an insurance company as a secretary, at a hardware store where she kept the store stocked and baby chicks ordered and worked at a dry cleaners with her cousin, Betty.

When she was 21, she met and married Kenneth Murray on Nov. 16, 1946, just one year after his military service.

The couple moved to Van Nuys, Calif., in 1951,where their son, Keith, was born.

She worked at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. Mrs. Murray and Keith were avid fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Dogs.

In 1963, the Murrays moved to Glendale, where they raised pinto horses, planted fruit trees, got involved in Farm Bureau and raised their son on a few acres in the country. Mrs. Murray worked for the Glendale School District for 22 years. She was active in the Olivet Presbyterian Church.

She was a comforter and encourager to people around her, exemplifying the Lord’s ability to bring peace and strength and allow U-turns.

She is survived by her son Keith and daughter-in-law Karen; two grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and brothers Larry and Dean Horton.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ken.

A memorial service was held May 6 at Calvary Creekside Church.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

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