Betty Gothard Murray

Betty “Jewel” Gothard Murray was born January 21st of 1927 in Bridgeport Alabama where she was loved and raised by her parents, Holiday Kirk Gothard and Helen Griffin Gothard along with a younger brother and sister Holiday Warren Gothard and Barbara Gothard Ivey. She graduated from high school when she was 16 and boarded a bus bound for Florence State Teachers College (known today as The University of North Alabama) where she studied to be a Teacher. She thrived and excelled in her studies and college activities and was awarded the College’s “Turis Fidelis Award,” which was the “highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior”. Perhaps her greatest blessing was received before she graduated; she met a young man named Erskine Murray, who was just beginning his degree after serving in World War II. She “loved his name” and “asked Him to Marry Her” and their 67 year, Life-long Love and Journey began. After marriage and graduation they left Florence for Nashville, Tennessee to attend Peabody College (known as Vanderbilt University today) and obtained their Masters degrees in Education. Together they taught and administered to students and school systems throughout the state of Alabama. She spent 32 years in the classroom all while raising a son and daughter, serving her Lord and Savior, creating a loving home and actively supporting her husband, family, friends and community. She was a scholar, a talented artist, a consummate seamstress and a wonderful cook. She loved her friends and family to the depths of her being and when she became a mother in law, “Gram” and “Great Gram”, her capacity for love grew exponentially. She lived a long, full and blessed life and was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and beloved husband.

Her legacy and memory will be kept alive by those who survive her; her children: Denise Murray; Ron and Jan Harris Murray grandchildren: Eliot and Ashley (Chandler) Murray; Austin Murray great grandchildren: Harris, Chandler, Dean and Emma Murray; nieces and nephews: Melissa (Ivey), David and Robby Jackson; Gib, Carolyn and Mia Ivey.

A visitation will be held at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home on Friday, January 20, 2019 from 12:00 noon until 1:30 p.m. A private family graveside service will follow. In lieu of flowers the family is asking donations be made in her honor to Respite Ministry First United Methodist Church 2416 West Cloverdale Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36106.