She was born in Jerseyville on Jan. 31, 1915, and was the daughter of the late Frank & Electa (Franz) Downs.

She graduated from Medora Township High School in 1933, and then attended Alton Vocational College in Alton, IL.  She worked for several years in the St. Louis area until 1941 when she applied, and was accepted into the Civil Service Program in Washington, D.C. She worked at the Pentagon in the Classification Unit for the U.S. Army during World War II with then, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and remained there for eight years.

 

One of her goals was to visit every state in the United States, which she accomplished with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.  In 1961, she relocated to Laramie Wyoming, where she worked as a secretary in the Chemistry Department at the University of Wyoming.  It was in Laramie that she met her husband, Edward Murray, and together they have shared 51 years.

 

Surviving are her husband, Edward Murray; six children & their spouses, Dixie & James Farrar of Oklahoma City, Ok., Ed & Fran Murray of Casper, Wy., Glenn, and the late Tonja Murray of Goldthwaite, Texas, Nancy & Mike Sharman of Reva, Va., Jackie James of Billings, Mt., and James Murray of Billings, Mt.; 14 Grandchildren; 25 Great Grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one sister, Ina Adams of Wood River; two nieces, Mary Oseland and Doris Adams both of Alton; one nephew, Bill Adams of Marion; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Her love for the Lord was always evident in her daily life, and even in death she said, "Dying is easy because I love the Lord".

 

Her visitation will be held from 10 a.m. Monday until time of funeral services at 11 a.m., at the Church of Christ in Jerseyville.

 

Burial will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

 

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is in charge of the arrangements.