Rev. Imogene Murray

Imogene Imo Murray

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. A celebration of Imogene Imo Murrays life will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Stillwater Church of Christ, 821 N Duck, Stillwater, OK. His services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater.

Imogene Imo Murray was born on August 3, 1929 in Stillwater, Oklahoma to George A. Murray and Eula Dean (Irvin) Murray. He graduated from Washington High School in 1949 where he was an all-around athlete. He then attended Langston University and later served in the U.S. Army. He married Carmilla Beck and to this union 3 children were born: Velda, Anita and Steven Murray. He later married his wife Irene (Abington) Murray on September 1, 2001.

Imo was an associate minister in Stillwater for 20 years and pastored at Drumright for 5 years and Elk City for 10 years. He became the minister of Antioch Baptist Church in Pawnee, OK, October 23, 2005 where he remained the pastor until his illness.

Imogene was employed by Ward Buick Dealership for eighteen years. He then purchased and opened his own auto repair business and named it Imos Auto Clinic which made him one of Stillwaters first black businessmen. Imo had a passion in his heart for helping young men which led him to establish the first African-American Boy Scout troop in Stillwater, OK. He recruited twenty young men and became a Boy Scout Master. During the 1960s he was appointed by the mayor to serve on the first Stillwater Community Relations Committee and he continued to serve wherever he could in the community; other civic duties such as the Urban Renewal Board, Southern Woods Committee and served as the advisor for the Washington School Reunion Planning Committee. In 2008 Imo was named a Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Outstanding Leader for the City of Stillwater. In 2002 he served as the chairman of the Ecclesiastes Board, a non-profit organization. Imos other love and great accomplishment was his ability to make his eminence barbeque that was known around Stillwater and the surrounding areas.

Imo passed away on September 1, 2012 after a lengthy illness. Proceeding him in death were his parents, 3 brothers, Luther, George and Julious Murray; 3 sisters, Lula Mae Holman, Frieda Shinault and Verla Watie..

He is survived by his lovely wife, Irene Murray, of the home address, one brother, Kenneth Murray of Stillwater, OK; two daughters, Velda Murray of Oklahoma City, OK and Anita Murray of Edmond, OK; one son, Steven Murray of Stillwater, OK, two stepdaughters, Jan Reed of Tulsa, OK and Yvonne Hall of Arlington, TX; three stepsons, Herbert (Pauline) Hall, Stillwater, OK, Lynn (Karen) Hall of Sapulpa, OK and David (Margee) Hall of Edmond, OK. A host of great-grandchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/pmcfh