Occie Lee Mcmurray

Mrs. Occie Lee (Roy) McMurray, age 94, passed peacefully on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Westmoreland Nursing Facility. Occie was the daughter of Ezra Lee and Hattie Presnell Thompson; sister to Perlie Thompson Byrge and Mary Jane Thompson, all of whom preceded her in death. She graduated from Knoxville Business College and began her career path at TN Mill and Mine Co. where she met her future husband, Roy L. McMurray. They were married for 51 years before Roy passed in November 2000. Occie worked for 35 plus years as office manager for Breck Ellison Construction Company where she wore many hats. She loved the Ellison family and they loved her. She was a member of Second Methodist Church for over 40 years and was a co-founder of the Abundant Life Class. She was a teacher for that class for decades before advancing Alzheimer’s set in. In later years she attended Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church with her daughter Barbara. There she met Pastor Bruce Galyon who became a frequent visitor both at home and later at Westmoreland Nursing Home where she happily resided the last 14 months. The nurses and staff at Westmoreland were great to her and took exceptionally good care of her as her health faded. The family will be forever grateful for the love and care she received there. Before moving to Westmoreland, Occie lived with her daughter, Barbara McMurray Emerson Neeley and her grandson Christopher Michael Neeley who was the light of her life. She will be sorely missed. Occie also loved her niece, Elaine Byrge Warwick who was a frequent visitor often times bearing gifts and snacks. Elaine has been Barbara’s rock every step of the way. She also leaves nieces Janice Conner Simmerson of Durham, NC, and Gail Davis Lane of Loudon, TN. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from 1:00pm until 2:30pm at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel. Friends and family will meet at Greenwood Cemetery on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 3:00pm for a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.mynattfh.com. Mynatt Funeral Home, 2829 Rennoc Road, Knoxville is honored to serve the McMurray family.