Blanche Brinkley Murray

Blanche Brinkley Murray, died December 8th 2018. She was 90 years old. While Blanche was her given name, she was affectionately called Mom, “Mommom”, and “Murray” by her 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are:

Her daughter, Debbie, and son-in-law Mike have four children. Her grandson, Jared, and wife, Brittany, have three children: Jacob, Connor, and Levi. Her granddaughter, Kristin, and husband, Scott, have four children: Addilyn, Peter, Thomas, and Everly. And 2 more granddaughters Mary and Alison.

Her son, David, and daughter-in-law, Lynn, have two children. Her granddaughter, Heather, and her husband, Brad. And her granddaughter, Emily.

Blanche was predeceased by her husband, Gene Evans Murray Sr., in 1994 and her son, Gene Evans Murray Jr., in 1995.

Born in Suffolk, VA in 1928 and raised in Gates County, NC, she was the youngest daughter of Stanley Lee and Ada Mae Brinkley (Morgan). She was predeceased by her two older sisters Erma Brinkley (Barnes) in 2008 and Alene Brinkley (Tew) in 2000.

Growing up in a rural area during the Great Depression, life was hard. However, amidst these tough times, she developed a passion for the Lord and others. She became a registered nurse in 1949, graduating from DePaul Nursing School in Norfolk, VA.

She then met her future husband, Gene Evans Murray, at a dance and, in 1951, they wed. In 1953, they bore their first son, Gene Evans Murray Jr.; followed by their first daughter, Debra Lee Murray (“Debbie”), in 1959; and their last child, David Brinkley Murray, in 1966.

Blanche is most widely remembered as frugal, but generous; strong-willed, but kind; serving, but not to herself. Blanche was a faithful servant of her church of over 40 years, Rock Church of Virginia Beach; if you did not know where she was, you could find her at the church.

Volunteering at nursing homes and gardening were common pastimes. Her favorite getaway was to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, collecting seashells and walking along the shore, even boasting that “you’re in North Carolina now; you can take your shoes off.” Her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren were the joys of her life.

A conversational talker, she was often very expressive, putting her hand on her face out of sheer happiness or surprise, emphasizing how happy she was to see you, greeting with a soft hug, and sending you off with a kiss on the cheek and an “I love you.”

The family requests in lieu of flowers monetary donations be made to Rock Church International at www.rockchurch.org/give