Johnny Lee Murray

Johnny L Murray was born in Ellaville, Georgia on August 8, 1940 to the union of the late Austin Murray Sr., and the late Minnie Mozilla Wimbish. He was the eleventh child of fourteen children born to this union.

He was raised on a farm and attended the public schools of Ellaville, Georgia.

He accepted Christ at an early age and attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ellaville, Georgia.

As a teenager, he moved to Miami, Florida and worked as a landscaper at one of Miami golf courts. He also worked in the environmental department of the Dave County Public Schools for thirty-seven years, Sears for fifteen years in Miami, Florida.

He met and married Mary Frances Patterson in 1958, (preceded him in death) and to this union four sons were born; Johnny Jr., Charles, Samuel and Nathaniel. He also had two other sons with Evelyn Tyson; Johnathan and Jason. He met and married Betty Dorsey in November 21,1979 and to this union four daughters were added; LaFonda, LaWanda, Karen, and Sheronda.

After leaving Florida, he resided in Southern California and retired from Cigna Hospital. He left California to reside in Louisiana for a brief period of time afterwards returning to California where he went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2025.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories: his loving wife, Betty Dorsey Murray; ten loving children, Johnny Jr. (Diane), Charles (Nadine), Samuel, Nathaniel (Yolanda), Johnathan (Shaneka), Jason (Shica), LaFonda (Nathaniel), LaWanda, Karen, and Sheronda (Darrell), a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; one brother, Deacon Joedell Murray of Ellaville/Atlanta, Georgia; one sister, Geneva Williams of Bowling Green, KY; preceding him in death is his brothers and sisters; Austin Jr., Mike, Robert Lee, John Wesley, Clifford, Ben, Maddie Ruth, Minnie, Eddie, and Marion.