Major Everette Murray

Major Everette Murray, affectionately called Buddy, age 90 passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 28th at Lower Cape Fear Life Center in Wilmington, NC.

Buddy was born on April 10, 1933, on the River Road in Wallace, NC to Bedford Forrest and Thelma Robbins Murray. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Alice Simmons, Eunice Mills, Carolyn Fussell, and son in law William Watts.

Major is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Alice Mills Murray, son Forrest Murray; daughters Shelley Strickland (Dwight) and Shannon Watts; grandchildren Bret Strickland, Blair Strickland, Taylor Murray and Trent Watts; great grandchildren Banks Strickland, Ethan Ramirez and Wylie Watts; sister Laurie Lefler, sister-in-law Armour Moore; brothers-in-law Eugene Fussell and Henry Teachey; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Major served his country honorably and proudly in the Army National Guard from May 1951 until November 1952. He worked as a newspaper proofreader for a prominent newspaper in Newport News, Virginia in the early 1950’s. He returned home and worked with A&P Grocery Store until the late 1960’s where he began working Worsley Oil Companies at the Exxon Station on Main Street. He was a hard worker, supplying auto parts to area Exxon and Amaco stations, then eventually retiring as a gas truck driver. Buddy was also a farmer until 2008 due to health problems.

Major was a dedicated member of Mills Memorial Advent Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Buddy lived his life based on Christian principles and steadfast faith in God. He enjoyed people and never met a stranger.

Funeral services will be held at Padgett Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday July 2, at 2p.m. with visitation afterwards. Mr. M.D. Guthrie will be officiating the service. There will be a private interment.

Family requests donations to be considered for Lower Cape Fear Life Center, Wilmington, NC.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Major Everette Murray, please visit our floral store.