As Bernice D. Murrell, 84, peacefully slept in her Winston-Salem home on Sunday, October 4, 2009 the angels of God ushered her into eternal rest.
Our beloved Mother and Nana was born in Portsmouth, VA and attended local public schools. She went on to graduate with honors from Hampton University. Her career brought her to Winston-Salem where she became the first African American Girl Scout Leader in the Southeast United States. She married local businessman and entrepreneur Frank W. Murrell and they established Forsyth Funeral Home which served many families within the community. Most dear to her heart were her children and extended family. She instilled in them the importance of caring for each other. She was a devoted member of Saints' Home United Methodist Church and served in the capacities of Chairperson and Secretary of the Finance Committee, and was a diligent member of the United Methodist Women.
Mrs. Murrell consistently and persistently sought ways to improve the lives of those who were less fortunate. She not only became involved in organizations that would serve these purposes, but she became the founder of such groups that would address quality of life issues: Imperial Deputy of the Desert of North Carolina, Charter Member of the Daughters of Isis, Sethos Court #105 in 1947, Founding Member of the Holidays Bridge Club 1961, Member of the National Council of Negro Women, Glade Street YWCA and Victory Mutual Credit Union Board of Directors, Bethlehem Center and a volunteer for Meals On Wheels. Mrs. Murrell will undoubtedly be remembered for her life lessons on her love for God, family values and commitment to serving others.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank W. Murrell and daughter, Beverly M. Whitehead.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Byron Christopher Murrell and Benjamin Murrell; daughters, Beulah Newby and Barbara Payne; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1pm Saturday, October 10, 2009 from the Saints Home United Methodist Church with Reverend Effie McClain officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from Noon until 1pm on Saturday at the Church as well as this evening, Friday, October 9, 2009 from 6pm until 7pm at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.