Esther Murray (Abrams)

Esther Abrams Murray quietly departed this life, September 2, 2017. Esther was born July 28, 1924 and had just celebrated her ninety-third birthday. Esther was the daughter of the late Bishop Joseph Abrams and Missionary Eva Elizabeth (Rice) Abrams and was married to the late Bishop Samuel Winfield Murray for 47 years; out of this union seven children were born. Esther was educated in Anne Arundel County until the age of fifteen and completed her education in Caroline County. Education was important to Esther, and she encouraged lifelong learning for everyone. Esther was the valedictorian in sixth and eleventh grades. In June, 1978, Esther earned her Associates Bachelors? degree from The Disciples Bible Institute in Greensboro, Maryland. Esther received her Masters Degree in Biblical Studies at the ripe age of eighty. We were all so proud of her accomplishment. At an early age, Esther was ordained as an Evangelist. In 1979, Evangelist Esther Murray was appointed National President of the King’s Apostle Holiness Church of God, Inc. and the Women’s Convention Home and Foreign Mission. During Evangelist Murray’s tenure as President, the Women’s Convention grew spiritually and monetarily. It was under her leadership that the Women’s Retreat Center in Ridgely, Maryland came into existence. This retreat center had been a dream of hers for over fifty years prior to its inception. Elder Murray served the Women’s Convention faithfully for over 19 years. In 1984, due to the failing health of her husband, Bishop Samuel Murray, Evangelist Murray was ordained as an Elder and appointed as the Co-Pastor of Abrams Memorial Church in Denton, Maryland. Bishop Samuel Murray passed away in April 1988, and Elder Esther was appointed as the Pastor of Abrams Memorial in August 1989. As the church grew, the people were eager to hear God’s word and participate in the ongoing work of the church. In 2000, God saw fit through the eyes of the leaders, to consecrate Elder (Pastor) Esther as a Bishop in the General Convocation. Bishop Murray also served the President of the Holiness Ministers Wives and Widows Council of Washington, DC, and adjoining states during this time. This organization was birthed in 1949. This was also the same year that she joined the organization. Bishop Murray took an active role in her community. She was the Wellness for Women Coordinator for the Caroline County Health Department for four years, persuading many women to get their early detection mammograms and other pertinent screenings. Bishop had the highest number of women to register for their mammograms in the history of the program. These numbers were unprecedented. Bishop worked untiringly with the Hospice Program of Caroline County, was a member of the CHERUB organization for the Caroline County Health Department and a member of the Ecumenical Ministers Association of Caroline County. Bishop Murray loved to travel…and did she! Many of her favorite travel locations were within the United States and spanned from California to Florida and Maine to the state of Washington. Some of Bishop’s international travel locations were Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, Bahamas and Toronto just to name a few. Bishop wore her “traveling shoes” even prior to her departure! Among Mom’s favorite things were shopping, preparing BBQ’s for family and friends, reading, sewing (she worked as a seamstress for Fed’s Sporting Goods for many years), going to the ocean and boardwalk, and baking her famous cookies and butter pound cake. Mom often shared these baked goodies during her overnight visits and stays, and during the holidays. Many of these baked goods were also enjoyed with and by her church family and neighbors. Mom seldom visited someone without bringing their favorite treat or goodie. She was so personal that way and could remember the smallest-of-details to make that person’s day! Mom loved to serve her family and others. She was easy to gravitate to and strangers soon became drawn to Mom’s gentle and loving ways and mannerisms. Mom visited prisons, nursing homes, hospitals and homes of those who needed her the most. This was a staple in her daily living. Even when Mom’s physical pace became slower, that mind of hers still remained sharp up until the week of her passing. Mom would gladly and lovingly take her time to assist, support and love everyone through their difficult seasons. When sitting or talking with Mom, you could always feel that you were the most important person in the room or on the phone, at that time. There were many happy moments in this woman’s life as she lived, served and glorified God through her Godly example. If King Solomon was the wisest man on earth, then certainly Mom was the wisest woman. Mom’s wisdom, demonstration-of-character, integrity and strength is highly unmatched by many people. Wife, Mom, Pastor, Aunt, Sister, Bishop, Nana, Grand mom, Confidant and Friend: she will be greatly missed. “She’s In Good Hands Now…For Sure!” Bishop Esther Abrams Murray leaves to mourn: her seven children, Deborah (Michael) of Glenburnie, Maryland, Dennis (Bernice) of Dover, Delaware, David of Wilmington, Delaware, Samuel and Phyllis of Denton, Maryland, Esther (Joseph) of New Castle, Delaware and John of Cambridge, Maryland; her ten grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Aaron Abrams and one sister-in-law, Elder Thelma Nichols; and a host of Special nieces, nephews and loyal family members and friends. Bishop Murray was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop Samuel W. Murray and her siblings with the exception to Uncle Aaron who still remains with us. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esther Murray (Abrams), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Esther Murray (Abrams)

July 28, 1924 - September 2, 2017