Audrey Manuel Murray

Mrs. Audrey Manuel Murray, 94, of Biloxi, MS died on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. Mrs. Murray graduated from Biloxi High School in 1935 and shortly after that she married Robert "Buddy" Murray. Together they had three children. She loved being home with her children and did not start a career until they were all in school. Mrs. Murray began her career in 1952 at Bradford Funeral Home as cashier in the insurance department. In 1957, Bradford Funeral Home and O'Keefe Funeral Home merged and she became secretary to the firm of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. She held that position unitl 1973 when Mr. Jerry O'Keefe named her to succeed him as President of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Inc. After 29 years of service, Mrs. Murray retired in 1981. She later came back and worked as a receptionist until November 2000. In 1973, Mrs. Murray was named "Mother of the Year" by the East Harrison County Lions Club and "Biloxi's Outstanding Business Woman of the Year" by Biloxi Business & Professional Women's Club in 1974. In 1981, she was named "Woman of Achievement" by the MS Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. She was a member of B&PW Club since 1963. She served as president for three terms. Audrey earned many awards over the years, but her most cherished award was that of "Mother of the Year". Mrs. Murray was a member of the East End United Methodist Church and she also attended the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. She was a member of Ann Grayson Chapter 50, Order of the Eastern Star, Mental Health Assoc., Biloxi Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army. She also served as MS Women of Achievement Chairman of 1976 and MS Southern Area Chairman for the Young Women's Career Conference 1973-1974. Mrs. Murray is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert "Buddy" Murray; her parents, Louis and Ernestine Tiblier Manuel; three brothers, Elbert Manuel, LeRoy Manuel and Wilfred Manuel; one sister, Mrs. Lois Landry; three sisters-in-law, Audrey Manuel, Evelyn Manuel and Vivian Manuel; two brothers-in-law, Vincent "Vickie" Rosetti and Melvin Landry and one son-in-law, Robert Lamey. She is survived by her two daughters, Audrey Ann Thompson and husband, Bob of McComb, MS, Janice Morse and husband, Ken of Okala, FL; son, Charles R. Murray and wife, Donna of Biloxi, MS; brother, Wilbur Manuel and his wife, Jean of Biloxi, MS; sister, Verna Mae Rosetti of Biloxi, MS; seven grandchildren, Chuck Lamey and wife, Robyn of Biloxi, MS, Mark Lamey, Biloxi, MS, Glenn Murray and wife, Traci of Diamondhead, MS, Charles Murray, Jr. and wife, Kacee of Biloxi, MS, Michal Ann Murray Smith, of LA, Dr. Keith Morse and wife, Donna of Naples, Fl and Major Kenneth Morse and wife, Molly of Hawaii and seventeen great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to the: Salvation Army of South MS, 575 Division St., Biloxi, MS 39530.