News Summary
A respected educator and military spouse, who greatly impacted her community, has passed away. She dedicated her life to teaching and supporting military families while celebrating a rich legacy of service and education. She is survived by her family, who reflects her commitment to education and military service.
Pensacola, Florida – A beloved educator and military spouse, who made significant contributions to her community and family, has passed away. She was born on January 25, 1939, in Atmore, Alabama, to James A. Barrineau and Frances Wilkinson Barrineau. Following a life dedicated to education and military service, her impact will be felt for years to come.
The departed, who there is surviving spouse, Roger Murray, a retired Navy Captain, spent decades living in various states as a military dependent and took great pride in her experiences, particularly her time spent in Japan and Germany. In 1961, she married naval aviator Roger Murray, and together they built a loving home that celebrated their military heritage.
Her teaching career began in the late 1960s at Woodham High School, where she taught high school history, and later continued her work at Escambia High School in the late 1980s. Throughout her life, she was proud to identify as an “Army Brat,” “Navy Wife,” “Air Force Mother,” and “Army Grandmother.” Her son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Murray, and her grandson, Army 2nd Lt. Ryan Murray, illustrate her deep-rooted family connections to the military.
Having graduated from Frankfurt American High School in West Germany in 1957, she went on to pursue higher education at Pensacola Junior College. While there, she served as the editor of the college newspaper and was a weekly on-air talent at WBSR radio. She then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in History and Secondary Education in 1961.
In addition to her career in education, she was an avid lover of reading and had a passion for jazz music, particularly the works of Sarah Vaughn. The deceased was also an enthusiastic supporter of college football and a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves.
As a long-time resident of Pensacola, she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. In 2015, she relocated to Tallahassee, Florida, where she continued to be loved and cherished by her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Roger Murray; her son Steve Murray of Tallahassee, Florida; and her brother, retired Army Col. James A. Barrineau, who resides in Burke, Virginia. Her family also includes her devoted grandson, Army 2nd Lt. Ryan Murray, who lives in Sarasota, Florida, along with his wife, Kaitlyn.
A visitation will be held at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 11 a.m. to Noon. A service will follow from Noon to 12:30 p.m., after which a private burial will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Florida Veterans Foundation in her honor, reflecting her commitment to supporting veterans and their families.
As a dedicated educator, beloved wife, and military supporter, her legacy will continue through her family and the many students she inspired throughout her teaching career.
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Additional Resources
- Legacy: Edward Little Obituary
- Wikipedia: Education
- Obituaries: Tolbert Rogers
- Google Search: Military spouse
- Atmore News: Obituaries Week of January 15, 2025
- Google Scholar: Impact of Education
- Legacy: Cody Roling Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Teaching
- Atmore News: Obituaries Week of May 21, 2025
- Google News: Education in the Military
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