Mary Frances McMurria

Mary Frances Smith McMurria, 84, daughter of the late Alfred T. and Mary Frances Smith, died on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at home. Mrs. McMurria was born in 1923 in Greenville, SC. Married on March 2, 1946, she was the loving wife of James Austin McMurria of Columbus, GA, who predeceased her in 2003. Mrs. McMurria graduated from Greenville High School and Hollins College. She worked for the Associated Press in New York City and The Greenville News during World War II. She is survived by her sister, Harriet Smith Wyche of Greenville, as well as her four children, Mrs. Brooks Morgan and her husband, Howard Morgan of Chicago, IL, Dr. Harriet Van Hale and her husband, Dr. Philip Van Hale, Mr. James Austin McMurria, Jr., and Mrs. Anne Hill and her husband, Howard Hill, all of Greenville. Mrs. McMurria is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Alexandra Hartley-Leonard, Austin Hartley-Leonard, Charlotte Van Hale, Durham Hill, Tatum Hill, Victor McMurria and Selina McMurria. Mrs. McMurria was an active member of Fourth Presbyterian Church and her church circle. She was active in many civic and social organizations in Greenville, including the Junior League. She served as President of the Thursday Club, the Debutante Club and the Assembly. The family wishes to give special thanks to Willie Jean Williams for her gracious and loving care of Mrs. McMurria in her last years. The family will receive friends at the home on Monday, February 25, 2008, from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 703 East Washington Street, on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. A private committal service will be held prior to the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Ministries, 606 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC 29601 or Fourth Presbyterian Church.