Rodney Murray Funeral

By Amanda Manning 

AYDEN  — Family and friends said their final good-byes to Sgt. Rodney Alan Murray on Monday at Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Winterville during a service of worship and celebration held in memory and in honor of the fallen soldier.

Murray, who was killed in a Humvee accident in Iraq last week, was remembered for his love and devotion to his wife, Amanda, as well as his love for children.

Associate Pastor Michael Rowell described Rodney as a soft spoken, yet competitive person who loved his family and friends. Rowell said Rodney was a “man who truly believed in Christ.”

Rowell also said Murray spoke to him about entering into the ministry, saying that he wanted to minister to young people. “Rodney loved the children,” Rowell said. “Rodney had a desire to work with young people.”

Rowell finished by saying good-bye to the man known by many for his compassionate nature and remembered by all for his sense of humor and friendly attitude.

“As a Christian, all I can say is, ‘ I’ll see you later,’ “ Rowell said. “As an American, I say, ‘Thank-you for serving our country.’”

Reverend Leon Harris, the officiating minister, remembered the first time Amanda Loftin brought Rodney to services at Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church during their courtship.

“It is very rare today to find a young man that is courteous,” Rev. Harris said during the service. “Rodney had a great personality. He could walk in a room full of strangers and leave with a room full of friends.”

Harris said that Murray came to him before he left for Iraq and said he did not want to leave Amanda but felt God was calling although he wasn’t sure at the moment what the calling was. Rodney later found his calling in helping the children in Iraq. Harris recalled pictures of Rodney holding hands with children in Iraq and said Rodney wanted to help give the children in Iraq toys because some had never had a toy before.

Rose Hill Church collected toys before Murray came home in December for the last time and he took the toys back to Iraq to be distributed to the children there. The toys have not been distributed yet but will be given out by Murray’s unit, in honor of the soldier.

Rev. Harris also spoke of Murray’s letters sent back home, to both the church as well as to his friends. 

In one letter, Harris recalled Murray saying the situation in Iraq was not being reported accurately by the media. Murray told Harris that the Iraqi people just wanted freedom, like Americans, and the media didn’t report on the good, only on the deaths and explosions. 

Harris ended the service by saying Murray would be missed greatly but was in a better place and wouldn’t want his service to be filled with tears and sad songs, but instead would want the service to be a service of worship and celebration. Harris added, that Rodney would want someone to tell a joke.  

A graveside service was held at Pinewood Memorial Park in Greenville, where soldiers held a 21-gun salute and family and friends said their final good-byes to Sgt. Rodney A. Murray: husband, friend, son, teacher, brother and soldier.

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