Obituary for Franklin Murrell Jr.
Franklin Robert Murrell Jr. was born to the late Franklin Robert Murrell Sr. and Susan Singleton in Greeleyville, South Carolina on August 19, 1934. He was a diligent hard worker as a young man. This work ethic led to a long-decorated career in the United States Navy after high school. His love and proud nature for the military had no bounds. Whether it was singing the songs, telling the stories of his glory days or seeing different ships commemorated, everyone knew of his time and accomplishments in the US Navy and how proud he was to has served for his country.
Franklin was blessed with a large, loving family. Family was the most important thing in his life. He married his beautiful best friend, Katherine Dorothy Richardson, on December 22, 1958 in Los Angeles, California. Franklin and Katherine raised their four children along with their first grandchild with love, patience, discipline, and humility. He taught them to enjoy the outdoors through gardening, fishing, and building projects, such as an enclosed deck, outdoor patio, sidewalk, picnic table and benches that he made with the help of his sons.
His church life was also important to him and his wife. They both played an active role throughout the years. He was an Elder of his church which he loved and deeply adored. He loved volunteering to help with the bread bank at his church weekly for many years. He lived his life according to the scriptures and loved sharing that passion. He had an uplifting nature about him and touched so many lives.
Franklin was known for being friendly and hospitable, even to complete strangers. His neighbors would stop and talk with him as he happily & meticulously tended to his yard and garden. They appreciated the beauty of his yard and his gifts of the fruits and vegetables that his garden produced. They equally enjoyed sharing the fruits of their labor with him and baked treats from the fruits and vegetables he shared with them. He loved fishing with his family and friends, cleaning his own fish, and making a tasty dish with his catch of the day.
After his career in the Navy, he worked for the United States Post Office and Electric Boat. Everywhere he worked, his coworkers greeted him fondly and treated him with respect. His personality was warm and inviting as evidence of his deeply religious convictions and lifestyle.
Franklin is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Katherine; his children Denise Morris, Gamel Rodney Murrell and twins Kathlyn Jo Culver & Franklin Robert Murrell III; his grandchildren Danielle Karrer, Benjamin Toler, Tara Kandemir, Darrin Toler, Daniel Toler, Lana Bowie, and Eddie Bowie II; his great-grandchildren Kali Karrer, Jada Karrer, Alycia Karrer, Leila Karrer, Keira Toler, and Keyen Toler; his sisters Julia Anchrum, Betty Jean Murrell Jackson; his brothers Emanuel Murrell, Richard Singleton, and Edisto Singleton Jr.; his sons-in-law, JC Culver, Kevin Karrer, and Cleveland Morris; and his daughter-in-law Gina Murrell. He is preceded in death by his parents, and several brothers and sisters.
The following has been updated and is the correct information:
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a service will be held at New Life Christian Church, 1729 Center Groton Rd, Ledyard, CT 06339. A viewing for family and friends will begin at 12 p.m. Services with military honors will follow at 1 p.m. Funeral services are entrusted to Lester Gee Funeral Home.
Franklin was blessed with a large, loving family. Family was the most important thing in his life. He married his beautiful best friend, Katherine Dorothy Richardson, on December 22, 1958 in Los Angeles, California. Franklin and Katherine raised their four children along with their first grandchild with love, patience, discipline, and humility. He taught them to enjoy the outdoors through gardening, fishing, and building projects, such as an enclosed deck, outdoor patio, sidewalk, picnic table and benches that he made with the help of his sons.
His church life was also important to him and his wife. They both played an active role throughout the years. He was an Elder of his church which he loved and deeply adored. He loved volunteering to help with the bread bank at his church weekly for many years. He lived his life according to the scriptures and loved sharing that passion. He had an uplifting nature about him and touched so many lives.
Franklin was known for being friendly and hospitable, even to complete strangers. His neighbors would stop and talk with him as he happily & meticulously tended to his yard and garden. They appreciated the beauty of his yard and his gifts of the fruits and vegetables that his garden produced. They equally enjoyed sharing the fruits of their labor with him and baked treats from the fruits and vegetables he shared with them. He loved fishing with his family and friends, cleaning his own fish, and making a tasty dish with his catch of the day.
After his career in the Navy, he worked for the United States Post Office and Electric Boat. Everywhere he worked, his coworkers greeted him fondly and treated him with respect. His personality was warm and inviting as evidence of his deeply religious convictions and lifestyle.
Franklin is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Katherine; his children Denise Morris, Gamel Rodney Murrell and twins Kathlyn Jo Culver & Franklin Robert Murrell III; his grandchildren Danielle Karrer, Benjamin Toler, Tara Kandemir, Darrin Toler, Daniel Toler, Lana Bowie, and Eddie Bowie II; his great-grandchildren Kali Karrer, Jada Karrer, Alycia Karrer, Leila Karrer, Keira Toler, and Keyen Toler; his sisters Julia Anchrum, Betty Jean Murrell Jackson; his brothers Emanuel Murrell, Richard Singleton, and Edisto Singleton Jr.; his sons-in-law, JC Culver, Kevin Karrer, and Cleveland Morris; and his daughter-in-law Gina Murrell. He is preceded in death by his parents, and several brothers and sisters.
The following has been updated and is the correct information:
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a service will be held at New Life Christian Church, 1729 Center Groton Rd, Ledyard, CT 06339. A viewing for family and friends will begin at 12 p.m. Services with military honors will follow at 1 p.m. Funeral services are entrusted to Lester Gee Funeral Home.