Jan. 18, 1934 — Nov. 15, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for John E. Murray, 78, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, in Baton Rouge, will be 11 a.m. Monday at Cliff Temple Baptist Church with the Revs. Russell Wagoner and Joe Nesom officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. until time of services Monday at the church.

Mr. Murray was born Jan 18, 1934, in Centreville, the son of John Normie Murray and Leona Cavin Murray. He was a member of Cliff Temple Baptist Church. His greatest joys in life were his family, his church and helping others. He especially enjoyed the annual family tradition of camping and water skiing on Lake Greeson in Arkansas — a tradition he cherished for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Nell M. Murray; one daughter, Abbey Murray Gauthier and husband, Bobby, of Baton Rouge; two sons, John Mack Murray and wife, Kristi Harvey Murray, of Greenwell Springs, and John William Murray of Bossier City; seven grandchildren, Lacey Schexnayder Pyle and husband, Chad, Alison Schexnayder and Matt Williams, Coy Gauthier and wife, Jennifer, Maggie Houghton and husband, Chris, John Kyle Murray, Christopher Matthew Murray and Megan Michelle Murray; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, James Douglas Murray of Hot Springs Village, Ark., and August Edson Murray of Huntsville, Texas; one sister, Martha Murray Fowler of Batesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallebearers will be Chris Clark, Thomas Eschete, Curt Freeman, Jason Harvey, Allen Kennon, Chad Pyle, Lionel Schexnayder and James “Doodle” Smith.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lee Gillespie, Winston Jenkins and George Tarver.

Online condolences may be made to www.lairdfh.com.