Martha Louise Murray

Martha Louise Creach Murray, 88, of Ft. Mitchell, AL passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Arbor Springs Heath Care in Opelika, AL.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm EST Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Gateway Church in Ft. Mitchell with her son-in-law, Chaplain Mack Ballard, her daughter, Pastor Catherine Ballard, and granddaughter, Pastor Valerie Staples officiating.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ms. Murray was born December 4, 1929 in Andrew, SC to the late Kenneth H. Creach and Margia Anna Hughes Creach.  She was retired from management with Walmart in Sumter, SC where she served with a sincere passion of vision and leadership, and on many occasions worked directly with Sam Walton as they shared inspirational ideas with new Walmart openings.  She enjoyed reading, crocheting, sewing, working crossword puzzles, and teaching cake decorating.  She walked with integrity, and she was a lady of great character.  She was a member of Gateway Church in Ft. Mitchell, AL.  Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Murray, and one sister, Juanita Stewart.

She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Ballard and husband Mack Ballard, four sisters, Margia Philbeck, Mary Craven, Ida Bennett and husband Albert, and Betty Sansbury and husband Ray, two brothers, Kenneth Creach and wife Cheryl, and Jimmie Creach and wife Saundra, one granddaughter, Valerie Staples and husband John, (6) great grandchildren, Joshua Staples (Destiny), Micah Staples (Sarah), Emily Cowan (Isaac), Zion Staples (fiancé, Megan), Gideon Staples, and Mackenzie Staples, (3) precious great great grandchildren, Liam, Ezra and Anastasia, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and many caring friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in memory of Ms. Martha Murray to Gateway Church 89 Sweetwater Branch Road Ft. Mitchell, AL 36856.