Irene Ragsdale Murray, 97, of Asheboro, died Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Clapps Convalescent Nursing Home in Asheboro.

Funeral Services, 2 PM, Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Loflin Funeral Home Chapel, Ramseur.

Officiating, Rev. Leon Thompson, Rev. Tim Butcher.

Burial, Randolph Memorial Park, Asheboro.

Irene was a native of Randolph County and a member of Ramseur Wesleyan Church.  She married Melvin Murray in Bennettsville, South Carolina on December 19, 1942 after securing enough gasoline ration coupons in order to have gas to make the trip there and back during World War II.  Mrs. Murray was from Franklinville and began working alongside her husband at Parkview Drive-In, Martinsville, VA in 1947.  She worked with her husband at Melvin's Drive-In as a waitress, cook and even a curb hop then at Murray's Restaurant.  She then began work as a checkout grocery clerk at the grocery store Food Line in Ramseur which then became Lowe's Food.  She retired after many years of service to the public.  Her friendly smile and warm customer service was a staple at those stores and fondly remembered by all she serviced.  She was also a licensed beautician and she volunteered her cosmetology skills for older ladies at Ramseur Wesleyan Church and Randolph Hills Apartments by cutting, perming and setting hair for those ladies hair for many years.  As a  longtime member of Ramseur Wesleyan Church, she taught the children's class, was a member of the Ladies Missionaries and sang in the choir until her hearing failed her.  She then began special readings of poems which she loved to recite and to memorize.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Murray, and her parents, William Harris and Blanche Dawkins Ragsdale, two sisters, Mary Curtis, Jewel Shane, two brothers, Guy and Charlie Ragsdale.

Survivors: daughters, Denise Hill, and husband, Perry, of Asheboro, Lisa Cox, and husband, Rick, of Franklinville, son, Johnny Murray, and wife, Deb, of Asheboro, sisters, Edith Kinney, Viola Beane, grandchildren, Eric (Kathi), Kelly (Chris), Angie (Brian), Rikki (James), Candace, Brittney (Kevin), fifteen great-grandchildren, longtime friends, Jim and Nancy Epling.

Visitation, 6 PM to 8 PM, Monday, Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.

Condolences may be made online at www.loflinfuneralservice.com.

Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.

Memorials may be made to Hephzibah Children's Home, ATTN: Donation Center, 6601 Zebulon Rd., Macon, GA 31220-7606.

 Service Information