Mrs. Elizabeth A. Murrell was beckoned by the Master on Saturday Jan 21, 2017. Mrs. Murrell's home going celebration will be held Saturday January 28, 2017 at 11am, the Morning Star Baptist Church 1014 E. Pine st Tulsa, Ok.  Visitation will be on Friday January 27, 2017 from noon-7pm at our Tulsa Chapel.

Her Life, Her Legacy, Her Journey

Elizabeth Ann Murrell

Once, Twice, Three Times A Lady

Wife, Mother, and Queen

Death may be a Good God's amazing grace ordaining faithful souls to enter His Kingdom. Elizabeth Ann Murrell crossed into God's Heavenly domain on January 21, 2017. She and the love of her life, her husband, Ellsworth Lacy Murrell, Sr. were married 58 years.  To this union, three children were given life:  Raynette Elizabeth, E. Lacy, Jr., and Andre'. Her parents, Mary Elizabeth and Johnny Thomas preceded her in death. Known by her friends and relatives as Ann, she was affectionately ordained "Queen Elizabeth" by her children and grandchildren.  This queen ruled her domicile with kindness and generosity, humor and candor, warmth and firmness, and always with a forgiving smile, or barely an audible chuckle. The compassionate " Queen Elizabeth " viewed her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews not only as adorable kin, but as a unit holding a faith and a dedication to God. She was once, twice, three times a lady to her family, to her friends, and to her God--but now, her King must take the rings from " Queen Elizabeth's" finger and place them in His hand.

Elizabeth Ann Murrell retired from American Airlines after 28 years, and was the first African American female ticket agent in the state and one of the leading Black business women in Tulsa. She was educated at Dunbar Elementary, Carver Jr. High and she was a member of the Booker T. Washington "Grand Class of 1959". She was owner of the popular northside restaurant, The Wagon Wheel Steakhouse .  A noted fashion consultant, she owned her own clothing brands, "Sheba and Enstyle", and operated Murrell Investments and Murrell Real Estate with her husband. An active member of Morning Star Baptist Church and a community and political activist, she donated part of her Black art collection to the Greenwood Cultural Center. She was a member of the Philos Sorority and the M.L. Sudduth Circle at Morning Star Baptist Church.

Often with her kids and grandkids, Ann was an enthusiastic traveler, having traveled across the U.S. and visited the major capitals of the world. Among her international travels, she visited Paris, France, Portugal, Japan, South Africa, Figi...only to name a few. She epitomized the theorem "shop 'till you drop," and had closets filled with clothes she never found an occasion to wear.  Ann loved great restaurants, to dress-up formally or casually and owned the wardrobes that made her standout at any affair. She was unique as " Queen Elizabeth ", Elizabeth Ann, Ann, Mom, Grandmother, and to her husband she was just plain " Honey ".  She had class, style and verve, but, there was a limit to her passions.  Even though her Mother was a great cook and cooked professionally, Ann hated cooking anything other than breakfast and even that was a challenge at times…but then, what queen cooks?

Her husband has removed the ring from Mrs. Murrell – "Honey's" finger and placed it in his pocket-remembering this solace -- "Y ou can't lose what you love if you love what you lose!"

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother James Andrew Thomas, and a sister Gwendolyn Yvonne Lee, whose angel appeared and escorted her to Her Lord on the same day, January 21, (1999).

Left to cherish her memory: her husband, E. Lacy Murrell, Sr., two sons, E. Lacy Murrell, Jr., Los Angles, CA and Andre' Murrell, Dallas, TX.; a daughter, Raynette Murrell-Knight, Tulsa; four grandchildren, Tusdai (Jap) Demps, Wendy (Johnny) McCullough, Atlanta, GA; Dejuann Murrell, Dallas, TX and David Knight,II, Tulsa. Eight Great-grandchildren: Jaiden, Aspen, Chayce, Morgan, David Knight, III, Madison, Daetin and Dyllin. Sisters: Mary Leuna Smith, San Francisco, CA. and Barbara J. Bedford (Bill), Washington, D.C., a brother, Willie Thedell Thomas (Delores) Tulsa. She also leaves sister in laws: Wanda Harris(Lemuel-deceased), Wilzetta (Faye) Holmes, Cheryl (Cookie) Ceasar, Gaylen Simmons, Iantha Simmons, and one brother in law Isaac Simmons. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and other relatives and special friends. She also leaves her special "grandpuppy" who loved her so much, "Cedo".

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Murrell family, E. Lacy, Sr., E. Lacy Jr., Raynette and Andre' offer our very special indebtedness and demonstrations of love for the enduring friendship of Justine Washington, Don Ross and Alison Peterson.  We also offer our sincere gratitude to Carla and Jesse Vaughn, Sharon Miller, Ted Manuel, Adrianna Headen and the Morning Star Family.

This father, brother and sister would like to express our deepest gratitude and indebtedness for the care and attention that Andre' demonstrated toward his mother during this most trying time.  Andre' placed his job and life on hold as he offered his full love and attention toward his " Queen Elizabeth ".  Thanks Son!   Thanks again Brother!