James Essary

Mr. James Wesley Essary, age 70 of Atlanta passed away at his residence June 5, 2011. Mr. Essary was born July 8, 1940 to Mr. Waller Bryson and Odeal McDuff Essary in Tuscaloosa Alabama. He is survived by his sister, Judith Essary Purvis of North Carolina, his life partner, John Heath and business partner, Bill S. Murphy. After graduating with a bachelor degree from the University of Alabama, James went on to become an award winning interior designer for 48 years with most of those years with James Essary and Associates in Charlotte, NC. Along with his business partner, Bill Murphy for 38 years, the firm named changed to Essary & Murphy, Inc and the firm relocated to Atlanta 16 years ago. Essary & Murphy is one of the South’s oldest and most award winning interior design firms. James was a member of Carolina’s Chapter of American Society of Interior Designers and the Atlanta Chapter of American Society of Interior Designers. Essary & Murphy had won over 31 Top Design Award in both chapters of ASID. He also had homes featured in magazines such as Veranda, Traditional Homes, Southern Accents, House Beautiful and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. James Essary was selected ASID Designer of the Year, voted Veranda Magazine’s Best Living Room Award in 2009. Both Essary and Murphy were inducted into the ADAC Hall of Fame in 2008 at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. James was a lover of the arts, symphony and traveled all over the world. Through the eyes of James Essary, he made the world a more beautiful place. The family of Mr. Essary would like to share a special thanks to many friends, clients, Doctor Flowers and Dr Somi King and many nurses at Emory Winship Cancer Center and Doctor Diane Heath. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of James Essary to the Emory Winship Cancer Institute development office, 1762 Clifton Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322. A Celebration of Life Service for James will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 2 o’clock at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip with the Rev. Scott May officiating with a social fellowship to follow the service.