Sarah Robinson Murray

Sarah Robinson Murray died on Friday, September 7, 2018 at Cornerstone Village after a lengthy period of declining health.
She was born January 22, 1931 in Yancy County, North Carolina the youngest child of the late John Manasseh Robinson and Lula Thomas Robinson. Three siblings, Horace, Clara and Howard died in infancy. She was the last survivor of the siblings who reached adulthood: Arlen Cox, Guy Robinson, Alma Robinson Harris, Geneva Robinson Clark McGinnis, Floyd Robinson, Margie Robinson Elliott and Olis Robinson. Her mother died when Sarah was an infant, and she was raised by her paternal aunt, Mary Theodocia Robinson Cox and Theodocia’s daughter Geneva Cox Emert. She was a graduate of Science Hill High School. She then completed the Appalachian Hospital Nursing Program, graduating in 1952 as a Registered Nurse. She held several positions in her chosen profession: Office nurse for Dr. Hoyle Bowman, M.D., Supervisory nurse at Carter County Memorial Hospital on multiple occasions and Office nurse for Dr. Dillard M. Sholes, M.D. She loved caring for people and they in turn, loved her. However, she was most proud of being the wife of Harry E. (Sonny) Murray and mother of Teresa Murray Smith. She was married in and a member of First Christian Church before moving her membership to Southside Christian Church later in her life. Prior to moving to Cornerstone Village, she lived in Elizabethton with her family. She was always known as a gracious hostess and a talented cook, generously sharing the foods of her kitchen with family and friends, especially her very special friends, the late Joan and William (Bill) Thomas and their family. Many happy times were shared around the table laden with the food she enjoyed cooking or playing canasta until late into the night.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa and husband Lanny D. Smith, a step-granddaughter, Michelle Smith Phillips and her husband, Michael Phillips, two great-grandsons: Matthew McKinley Phillips and his wife, Alexandra and Malachi Emery Phillips, great, great-granddaughter Hallie Ellen Phillips, her Thomas family children: Laura Timmons, Linda T. Loffman, J. Daniel Thomas, G. Michael Thomas and Jan E. Thomas and two of the best friends ever, Norma Miller and Agnes Ellis.
Services will be held at Southside Christian Church on Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 at 7:00 pm with the Mr. Palma Bennett, Mr. Michael Koruschak and Mr. John Smith, ministers, officiating and with music under the direction of Deb Gouge and Charles Dugger. Pallbearers will be Michael Phillips, Matthew Phillips, Malachi Phillips, Robert Carroll, Coy Davis, James Arnold, Allen Norwood and Richard Thomason. The family will receive friends at the church before the service from 5:00pm to7:00 pm or at the home of Lanny and Teresa Smith at any time. Interment will be at Happy Valley Memorial Park, on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 11 am, where she will be reunited with her beloved husband. Those wishing to attend the interment are asked to meet at Southside Christian Church by 10:30 am to go in procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either Southside Christian Church, 1610 Southside Road, Elizabethton, TN, 37643, St. Peter the Apostle Anglican Church, 3321 Thornton Drive, Kingsport, TN, 37664, Taking Care of God’s Creatures Animal League, P.O. Box 2406, Kingsport, TN 37662 or to the charity of your choice.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to: Norma Miller for all her loving care and attention, to Agnes Ellis for her steadfast love and concern, and to all the staff of Cornerstone Village and to CARIS Healthcare for all the loving kindness and care of Sarah as she resided there.
Online condolences may be shared with family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home is serving the Murray family. Office, 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917. Mrs. Murray’s obituary was lovingly prepared by her family.