Frances Thelma Murray

Frances Thelma Murray was born on July 11, 1924, in Highpoint North Carolina to Joseph and Donella Fussello. She was the baby of five siblings: Eddie, Ruby, Josephus (who passed at any early age) and Tom.

Hearing about the “good work” and educational opportunities up North, over time the family relocated to Detroit. Frances was enrolled in Russell elementary school where (according to her accounts) she did a bit of everything from playing basketball (as the smallest girl on the team) running track, to winning oratory contests and spelling bees. Coming from a travelling evangelical lineage, the family continued the legacy of ministering through song and word throughout the local community, with Gospel Temple being their church home.

Frances first met Otis Murray, the man who would become the love of her life, when he came to visit his Uncle Primus, who was married to Frances’ maternal Aunt Florence. After realizing that they “were not in fact cousins” eventually Otis and Frances began dating and later married. They had five children, Otis II (Wanzie), Arlinda, Priscilla, Constance and Farris (Ricky). The Murray’s led a full and active life. Frances loved politics was a member of the Young Democrats, ran for city council, and remained active in the church.

Otis Sr. passed away four months after Farris was born, leaving Frances widowed and a single mother in her late 30s. Until then, she had only known life as a wife and stay-at-home mom, but she understood she now had a new assignment. She purchased what became the family homestead on Missouri Street, where she laid the foundation for a new way of life.

Frances went on to earn an associate’s degree and became a paraprofessional (teaching assistant). She took a job at the neighborhood school, Woodward elementary so she could watch over her two youngest and be home with them when school ended. She worked at Woodward long enough to still be there when her grandchildren attended.

Frances worked tirelessly for her community and was dedicated to expanding horizons and minds through experiences. Everyone knew Ms. Murray. She often chartered buses and organized community trips to places such as New York, Washington D.C., Cedar Point, and Niagara Falls. Her passion project was writing the grant for and getting the Northwestern Goldberg Community Center built.

As the family matriarch and a mother to many, she will be remembered for her love and kindness, her ever-present positive attitude, her youthful spirit and zeal for life, her fabulous storytelling and conversational abilities, the smile she always wore, the deep wisdom she dispensed at just the right time, the way she treasured spending time with family and friends, and most of all, how much she loved a good party!

Frances’ soul ascended on November 22, 2024. Her two sons, Otis II and Farris I, and one grandson, Otis III, predeceased her. She is survived by her three daughters, Arlinda Hollister, Priscilla Murray Brown, and Constance Murray; 12 grandchildren: Theotus II, Tiant, Christopher, Antoine, Farris II, Anjolic, Cassandra, Trey, Donovan, Marquillis, Arianna, and Weston; 15 great-grandchildren; and a multitude of cherished nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.