Shirley Jean (Gray) Murray, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at the age of 95. Born in Birch Run, Michigan, on November 15, 1930, to Henry and Clara Gray, Shirley grew up with a deep-rooted love for family and faith that would define her entire life. She spent most of her adult years in Sparta, Michigan, before enjoying her retirement years in Ocala, Florida.

Throughout her life, Shirley’s greatest joy and guiding light was her unwavering Christian faith. She loved the Lord deeply, lived out her beliefs through quiet strength, compassion, and service to others, and found comfort and hope in Scripture every day. Her trust in Jesus Christ sustained her through all seasons of life, and she looked forward to her heavenly home with confident expectation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Gray and Clara (Zuellig) Gray; her brothers, Robert Gray and Dale Gray; and her granddaughter, Angela Dawn Thompson.

She is survived by her loving husband of 77 years, Doran Clell Murray, of Sparta, Michigan (now residing in Ocala, Florida). She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth Gray; and her children and their spouses: Dayna and Ron Middlebrooks, Darla and Dave Thompson, Dorinda and Scott Phillips, and Delvin and Amy Murray.

Shirley’s surviving grandchildren are: Heidi Jean Heugel Lauer, Daire Elizabeth Seaman Benteldjoune, Nathan David Thompson, Lysken Dirks Thompson Norvell, Victoria Lee Thompson, Timothy Andrew Thompson, Mercy Elisabeth Thompson, Desiree Joy Thompson, Adrienne Cherié Thompson, Alexis Blythe Thompson, Daystar Rebecca Thompson, Rebecca Lynn Murray Tuinstra, Rachel Jean Murray Hund, and Samuel Anthony Murray.

Her great-grandchildren are: Ashley Lauer, Courtney Lauer, Jacklyn Thompson, Raelee Norvell, Phoenix Thompson, Claire Bianchi, Teagan Thompson, Jolene Tuinstra, Cameron Tuinstra, Norah Tuinstra, Westley Hund, and Lily Hund.

There will be no public funeral service. A private celebration of life will be held in November for the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Marion County, PO Box 4860, Ocala, FL 34478-4860, or online at https://hospiceofmarion.org