Joyce Barnhill Murray

Mrs. Joyce Barnhill Murray, age 87, passed from her earthly home to her Heavenly home on Thursday, July 4, 2019.  She was born on January 6, 1932 to the late Jesse & Ruth Bland Barnhill in Rocky Mount, NC and was a 1950 graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High School. She was married to Rev. Horace Murray for 59 years prior to his death in 2014.  God blessed her with musical talents of playing the piano & organ and singing that she used for His service starting at age 10 & continued until her death.  She was a charter member of Southside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC.  In 1966 when her husband was called into the ministry, she started her ministry of being a dedicated & faithful Pastor’s wife at Calvary Baptist Church in Roxboro, NC, Oak Level Baptist Church in Nashville, NC, Second Baptist Church in South Boston, VA and Averett Baptist Church in Virgilina, VA.  After Horace’s retirement, they both joined Dan River Baptist Church in South Boston, VA where she worked as Financial Secretary for 32 years.  She moved to Lexington, NC to live with her daughter & joined New Friendship Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC where she continued to minister with her musical talents.  After she moved into Mallard Ridge Assistant Living, she continued to play the piano for Sunday Morning Worship & hymn favorites for the residents.

She is survived by her daughter, Theresa (Ted) Coleman of Lexington, NC; her son, Jeff (Tammy) Murray of Rural Hall, NC, grandchildren, Matthew Ryan Coleman & Morgan (Travis) Lindley, Nathan Jeffry & Alona Ashlyn Murray in addition to her great-grandchildren, Rustin James & Sullivan William Lindley and Ryan Elyzabeth Evans.   She was preceded in death by her husband, her grandson, Ryan Jeffery Murray, her parents & her brothers, Alton, Charles & Billy Barnhill, best friends & traveling buddies, Ed & Mary Ann Cash of South Boston, VA.  She leaves a cherished friendship of 40+ years with Hayes & Mary Wagoner of Roxboro, NC.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at 1:00 PM at Dan River Baptist Church in Halifax, VA by Rev. Chris Byrne with interment in the church cemetery.  Family visitation will be from 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM prior to the service and immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Flowers are welcomed or monetary donations can be made to New Friendship Baptist Church Building Fund at 4258 Old Lexington Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.