Orvil Lee Murray, 78, of Patterson, passed away Friday afternoon, October 27, 2023, at the Bacon County Hospital in Alma, following an extended illness.
Born April 17, 1945, in Patterson, he was a son of the late James Stephen and Pearlie Mae Thornton Murray. He lived most of his life in Pierce County and retired as a construction contractor, having worked for Mitchell Construction Company in Vidalia, BE&K Building Group, Daniels Construction Company and he built houses as a self-employed contractor.
A longtime member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, he had served as the Minister of Music for 18 years and attended the Adult Sunday School Class.
A lover of music, he enjoyed playing a guitar and singing gospel and bluegrass gospel music. He was a member of “The Satilla River Boys” group and formed “The Revelators” with his cousin, Robert Thornton. He also enjoyed supporting and attending the Pierce County High School Band competitions for many years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Howard and Velma Cason and 3 brothers, Frank Murray, Carroll Murray and Rommie Joe Murray.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Donna Boyette Murray, Patterson; three children, Ashley D. Murray (wife Doree), Grimes, Iowa and Avis Harris (husband Edward) and Sarah Rozier (husband Barry), all of Patterson; nine grandchildren, Joshua (Emily) Murray, Hannah (Loic) Dupin, Sam (Ashley Nicole) Murray, Adam (Ashley Anna) Murray, Emmalee Murray, Aaron (Rebekah) Harris, Dorcas Harris, Abigail Eve Rozier and Ava Belle Rozier; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Minnie Cade, Blackshear; two brothers, Willard Murray, Palm Beach, FL and Claudie Murray (wife Linda), Blackshear and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, from the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Interment will follow in the Mill Creek Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
