Beloved Husband, Father. Grandfather and Pastor

Rev. Franklin Murray Sr., known as (The Legend), nicknamed: (Thunder & Lightning),  and  to  the  kids on the street, he was known as (O.G.), which  stands  for  Original  Gangster.  He related to  them and  did  his best in trying to get them off the streets. He  was  born  on  July 23, 1945, to Isaac & Nellie Murray. He came  from  a  large  family.  From his youth, he loved sports, especially; baseball,  softball, and  basketball.  Those in Boston, that played  on  the  softball league,  (Dale Street Park)  knew him as "snake", he was very good at what he did. Pastor Murray came to Boston,in Nov. 1966,  looking to provide  a  better  life  for  his  family.    He had a wife and three children at the time.   He was a hard worker,  but singing the gospel was in his DNA. He sang with (2) gospel groups here in Boston (The Sons of David & The God Squad).  They were very much in demand  and  traveled much until his son called him by  his first name.   That is when he said: it's time to come off             the road.  He did not stop singing though. When God first called him to preach the gospel, he ran from it. He  now had  (six) children.   He enlisted in the Army Reserve thinking  that  he  could run from the call; only to get injured and had to return to Boston, where he yielded to the calling of God.   Rev. Murray, then  joined  Morning Star, Under Pastor Stevenson,  and  remained there under the pastoral leadership Of Bishop Borders, until God called him to shepherd the Bethel   Baptist Church, in Roxbury. He  was  a  member of  Morning Star, for 17 1/2 years. In 1988,  Rev. Murray,  was called as pastor of  Bethel Baptist  Church,  and  officially installed as its Pastor, December 1988. He  was  an  Evangelist  and Revivalist.  He traveled all over the United States, preaching God's Word, until God said it was time to turn  his attention back to where He called him. Pastor had  been  preaching  at different churches  long before he was licensed.   He  was  licensed  to  preach  on July 8, 1983. He loved preaching.   On any given Sunday, for over 27 years, he preached (3) sermons on Sundays,   not counting the ones he preached  during  the week.   Preaching, teaching and singing was his thing.   If Bethel knows  one  thing  about pastor, it is that  he  never  missed a moment to teach.  And he often said:  that "I'm gonna preach until I preach the hell out of you"       Rev. Franklin Murray Sr., was a very down to earth man. He gave  of  himself  and  his  time  to whosoever.  He was a very humble man - taking  credit  for  nothing,  but  giving  all  the glory to God.   And  although  he received  numerous citations

from the City of Boston for his community service,  he remained just plain old Frank. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 62 years,  9 months, Essie Murray, (3)sons: Dennis Murray,  Michael Murray  and  wife  Wendy Murray,  Frank Murray Jr. and  Hazel Murray, (3) daughters:   Pamela-Murray Love,  Min.  Shirelle  Williams and husband Tony Williams and Evangelist Debra Murray. He  also  leaves  (25) grands:  Clyde Love Sr  and  wife  Joanna, Jesse Hamilton,  Raymond Murray,  Leroy Hamilton, Michael Murray Jr,    Michaela,   Marcell,   Melanee,   Makai Murray, Shaneequa,    Shaquan,   Shaquille,  Shakira,  Shawn & Shamar Murray,    Shavonna Love-Haamid,   Terrance Morrant-Love, Steven & Pryce Love, Justin, Jocelyn, Javaughn Francis, Janii, Jacqueline,  and  Jaiden Murray (13) great-grands: Aaliyah,Clyde Jr & Kylo Love,    Ja'Senya,   Jalayah,   Jessina,  Kaylee,  Zaire, Myah, Jobe, Jasiah, Rayna & Justin Jr. Also (1) brother: Rev. Abraham Murray and wife Vermell (SC) (6) sisters:: Katie (GA)  Eleanor (NC)  Anne, Carolyn, Dorothy, Rebecca,  a host of nephews,  neices,  cousins,  friends,  and his Bethel Church Family of 38 years.  He will be/is sorely missed.