Helen Rose Matthews Murray

Helen was born February 8, 1924 to Oren James Matthews and Beulah Miller Matthews.

Helen was a club champion in the Catawba Country Club Women’s Golf Championship and an avid gardener. She also volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels and was an active member in her church, Redeemer Lutheran, where she sang in the choir, served on the Alter Guild, and worked with the Ladies’ Aid.

She was an adoring mother who took great pride in her children. Her grandchildren were her priceless treasures. She was married to James, her beloved husband, for an incredible 72 years. Helen always entered a room with a smile. Family was paramount to Helen and was always the center of her universe. She loved people and they loved her back. Her warmth was legendary and drew people to her.

Helen is preceded in death by her son David Neal Murray; her parents Oren and Beulah Matthews; her siblings James Matthews, Fred Matthews, Ralph Matthews, Elizabeth Matthews Blackburn, and Jim Matthews.

Helen is survived by her husband James Thornton Murray; her son J. Richard Murray and wife Betty Lou (Boo); her daughter Rose Ann Pannell and husband Greg; her grandchildren: Adam Pannell and wife Jenna, and Maria Pannell and fiancé Helmut Shomaker; and her siblings Raynell Korn and Bobby Matthews.

The family would like to extend a very special thanks to the nurses, caregivers, and staff at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care.

A service for Helen will be held on Tuesday, January 7th at 3:00pm at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at 200 S. Main Street, Catawba, NC 28609. Rev. Gregory Alms will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:45 prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to “A Place At The Table”, Building Fund for the Redeemer Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 187, Catawba, NC 28609 or the Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.