NEW ZION — Retired Judge Murray Montgomery Sr., 87, husband of Jannie Mae Walker Montgomery, died Friday, July 4, 2014, at Providence Hospital in Columbia.
Born May 1, 1927, in Nesmith, he was a son of the late Wesley Montgomery and Allie Norris Montgomery. He attended Williamsburg County public schools, and received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1951 from South Carolina State College in Orangeburg. There, he was an outstanding football player, and in 1998, he was inducted into the S.C. State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He was an avid supporter of Bulldog football and was a founding member of the Bull Boys Foundation Board of Directors. He was a member of Melina Presbyterian Church, USA, where he was on the elder board, also serving as financial secretary, chairman of the building fund and in other capacities where needed. He was also a member of the Golden Gate Lodge No. 78 and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Murray Montgomery Sr. was employed by Clarendon County School District 3 and was a founding faculty member of Walker Gamble School. He served as vocational agriculture teacher, assistant principal, athletic director, director of the FFA and coach. He retired in 1987 after 36 years. After retirement, he presided as a Clarendon County magistrate for four years.
Survivors besides his wife of the home include four children, Murray Montgomery Jr. of Columbia, Dr. Diane (Larry) Burnett of Winder, Ga., Sherry (Sheldon) Bolden of Tyrone, Ga., and Y.W. (Yolande) Montgomery of Irmo; and seven grandchildren, Jaylen Montgomery, Jayla Montgomery, Trevin Bolden, Chase Bolden, Satara Chubb, Cameron Chubb and Damon Gamble.
Wake services were held Friday, July 11, 2014, at Hayes F. & LaNelle J. Samuels Sr. Memorial Chapel, 114 N. Church St. in Manning.
Celebratory services for Murray Montgomery Sr. were held Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Walker Gamble Elementary School, 2358 Walker Gamble Road in New Zion, with the Rev. Carnell Hampton officiating, the Rev. Jerome McCray presiding and the Rev. Jimmy Montgomery assisting.
Burial followed in Melina Presbyterian Church cemetery in Gable.
The family received friends at the home, 2125 Walker Gamble Road in New Zion.
These services were entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
