Carol Edwards Murray

"In the Fullness of Time" Carol Edwards Murray, born in Shannon City, Iowa, in 1919, to Avis Ewing Edwards and E.L. Edwards, was peacefully reunited with her beloved husband and parents on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Her life began in South-Central Iowa, in a small farming community founded by her grandfather. Graduating Valedictorian of her class, she received a secretarial degree from Capital City Commercial College, Des Moines, Iowa; graduated from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts in Cello Performance; and completed her Master's degree (Music), at Texas State College for Women, in Denton, Texas. While teaching cello at the college during WWII, she met her future husband, Tom: tall, thin, clever, and articulate. This New York City urbanite and the musician from Iowa created a strong and loving partnership until his death in 1981. Moving east to Staten Island, then Mount Vernon, New York, Carol and Tom settled in Westfield, New Jersey to raise their children, Thomas and Lynn. During this time, Carol played cello in several symphony orchestras, string quartets, and solo performances, in addition to teaching in the public schools. Following a transfer to Lexington, Kentucky, Carol's life and friendships expanded through her church affiliation, acting as President of United Methodist Women, and teaching Sunday School. She volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital, the Lexington Food Bank, and after moving to Georgia, the Houston County Medical Center. Retiring from the public school in 1984, she continued teaching private music lessons until the end of her active life. In 1998, Carol began a new chapter in her life, moving to Warner Robins, then settling in Macon. Like the lovely camellias and Yoshino trees, Carol blossomed in the South, joining Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins, then Riverside United Methodist Church of Macon. An intrepid bridge player, music lover, reader, and puzzle solver, she remained active, enjoying her cats, the gardens, and Hercule Poirot. A member of the Big Blue Nation, she was an unabashed UK Wildcats basketball fan, with a secret crush on Coach Calipari. At the age of 88, she joined the Civic Women's Club of Macon. Her last decade was filled with gracious gifts of friendship, notably Penny, Jean, Anne and Jim, Genevieve and Willard, Harriett and Charlie, Vicki and Walter, and her bridge cohort, Betty, Betty, and Ann. She was honored by the friendship of John, Duke of Quincy, former cello student, and longtime mentor on the beauty and traditions of The South. Carol is survived by one son, Thomas E. Murray, III (Susan Lloyd) of Solon, Ohio; daughter, Lynn Karle M. Waggoner of Macon, Georgia; grandson, Drexel G. Waggoner, II (Amanda), of Round Hill, Virginia. Special thanks to Tomekia, Eva, Debra, Cara, and Cynthia, for their gentle and loving care of mother. A memorial service will be held at Riverside United Methodist Church, Pierce Avenue, Macon, Georgia on Saturday, March 26th, at 3 o'clock PM. Burial will be private. Family will greet friends following the service in the Gathering Space. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverside United Methodist Church Building Fund, or a charity of one's choice. "In the Fullness of Time" REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.HARTSMORT.COM. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.