Alice Ray Mills Murray of Wallace, NC, passed peacefully on January 17, 2024, while at ECU Health Duplin Hospital.  Born on December 31, 1937, she is the daughter of the late Joseph Zachariah and Viola Narcissus English Mills.  She was affectionately known as "Doe" to family and friends.  She is also preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years--Major Everette Murray; siblings—Mavis English, Elwood Mills, Hazel Giddeons, Mary Blackburn, Bonnie Teachey, Bobby Z. Mills, Merrill Tiderman, and Josephine Mills; and son-in-law—William Watts.

Left to cherish her memory are her children—Shelley M. Strickland and husband Dwight of Willard, Forrest Wray Murray of Wallace, and Shannon M. Watts of Wallace; sister—Armour Mills Moore of Rose Hill; brothers-in-law—Henry Teachey and Eugene "Punk" Fussell, both of Rose Hill; sister-in-law—Laurie Lefler of Surf City; grandchildren—Bret Allen Strickland, Blair Nicole Strickland, Taylor Bryce Murray, and Trenton Ryan Watts; great grandchildren—Banks Allen Strickland, Wylie Watts, and Ethan Ramirez; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Mrs. Murray was a lady who worked tirelessly and relentlessly on everything she set her mind to doing.  Her work career was in the payroll department of J.P. Stevens in Wallace for thirty-six years where she spent a number of years as a payroll clerk.  In this position she met and befriended many employees who became cherished friends during her life.  She was a lifelong charter member of the Mills Memorial Christian Church in Willard where she fulfilled many duties and responsibilities in her many roles.  Her greatest love on earth was for her family, especially the grandchildren who were the light of her life.

A service to celebrate her life is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024 in the chapel of Padgett Funeral and Cremation Services of Wallace.  Family will greet friends at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Interment will follow in the Riverview Memorial Park of Watha.  Floral arrangements are welcomed or please consider a contribution in her memory to the ECU Hospice.