Sue Williams Murray
Eve Sue Williams Murray “Sue”, 84, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025.
Sue was born on April 17, 1941, in Mullens, West Virginia and was the only child of Roy and Mary Williams. Sue graduated from Mullens High School and Concord College, in Athens, West Virginia. Sue later earned her master’s degree from Indiana State University. Sue’s teaching career focused on business education.
In 1962, Sue married Thomas Aaron Murray, and they were married for 47 years before Tom’s passing in 2009. They were blessed with two children, Susan Annetta and Jeffrey Aaron. The family moved several times during their childhood years due to Tom’s job progressions. Sue became a master packer and could make any state they lived in, whether it was Virginia, Delaware, Missouri, or Indiana feel like home, finally retiring to Clayton, North Carolina to be near family.
Sue enjoyed camping when the children were at home, but later her attention turned to honing her golf game with Tom. She and Tom were avid Virginia Tech fans, supporting student athletes through a scholarship endowment, and attending most home games even when they lived far from Blacksburg. Later, when her health prevented her from attending, she always spent Saturdays watching the “ballgame”.
After Tom’s death, Sue moved to Raleigh. She settled in Inman Park and played Bridge, Spades and Rummikub regularly. She loved playing all games and looked forward to evenings when she did. Sue loved reading and enjoyed participating in the Inman Park Book Club. Sue made wonderful friends during her time at Inman Park. One special friend, Bernice Pegram, became like the sister she never had. Recently, when asked what her favorite thing to do was, she answered with “sitting on my patio talking with Bernie”.
Sue was an active member of Edenton Street Methodist Church, where she enjoyed Sunday School and Circle.
Sue was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. She was a master listener and loved hearing about her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She enjoyed trips to Chicago to visit Jeff’s family, going to the beach and Hokie games with Susan’s, and traveling with her friends. Sue enjoyed watching reality shows like Survivor, the Bachelor franchise and Dancing with the Stars so she could discuss the episodes with her grandchildren. She is survived by three generations in whom she took great pride and loved abundantly: Susan Bowers and her husband, Mark, Jeff Murray and his wife, Allison. Grandchildren: William Thomas Bowers, and wife Kasey, Mary Katherine Bowers, Annetta Erin Bowers and fiancée Zachary Benson, Samuel Thomas Murray, Charlotte Sarah Murray and Tessa Elizabeth Murray. Great Grandson: Beau Thomas Bowers.
A graveside service will be held later at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for gifts in Sue’s memory to The Helene Foundation, 13200 Strickland Road, Suite 114-308, Raleigh, NC, or a charity of one’s choice.