Obituary of Sarah Collins Murray

On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, our family circle was broken when the Lord called home our beloved mother, Sarah Collins-Murray into His loving arms for eternal rest and tender care. She may have departed this life, but her legacy of love, faith, and family will always be remembered. Sarah was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 13,1934 to the late Deaconess, Edna Collins, and Alvin Collins Sr. She enjoyed her early life in her tightly knit community on Warren Street in South Brooklyn where she was raised by her mother along with her older brother, Alvin Jr. and her sisters, Velma and Edna. The family was raised with traditional Christian values, and under this premise she joined Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Luther T. Chapman. At Bethel Baptist Church, Sarah joined the youth choir and later sang in the adult choir. Sarah was educated in the New York City public school system and graduated from Prospect Height High School.

On September 26, 1953, she entered into holy matrimony with Louis Murray Jr at Bethel Baptist Church. Sarah and Louis were blessed with seven children, and they settled in the Brownsville Van Dyke Houses where they raised their children with shared family values. In addition to being a devoted mother, Sarah worked for over twenty years at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She was motivated to work hard in order to take care of her family and accomplish her dreams. One of Sarah’s dreams was to own a home. With the combined hard work and dedication of both she and her husband, they moved into their new home sponsored by the East Brooklyn Churches Nehemiah Housing Development. She loved gardening and volunteered with her neighbors as a part of the Green Thumb Community Garden. Sarah was the epitome of a strong black mother. Even in the absence of her husband, who died in 1992, she persevered as the matriarch continuing family traditions. She hosted many family barbecues, birthdays and holiday family dinners. As a nurturer, she opened her home to the many friends of her children and grandchildren, adding to her extended family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy.  Although she was a nurturer, she still had a firm no nonsense attitude. She loved politics, and many people knew not to talk politics with her at the risk of ending up in an argument because Sarah did not back down. She was so proud to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.   Sarah was blessed with a gifted voice and loved to sing and listen to all music including gospel hymns, rhythm and blues, pop and even hip-hop. Although she was not in the best of health in the past couple of years due to Alzheimer’s Disease, she never ceased to stop singing.  

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Louis Murray Jr., parents, Alvin Collins Sr. and Deaconess Edna Collins, brother Alvin Collins Jr., sisters Velma Bethune and Edna Jones, and daughter in law Gail Peterkin-Murray.

Sarah leaves behind to mourn but cherish her memories her sons, Louis III and Samuel; daughters Michele, Sarah, Camille, Amelia, and Rachel; and son in law, Shepard Cooper. Her nine grandchildren, Shavonne; Nahshon; Ronnell (Tenia McCoy-Murray); Louis Rasheed; Lorenzo; Terrance; Tamara (Bryan White); Douglas; and Stephon. Her 6 great-grandchildren, Jermaine; Madison; Tamar; Roman; Neveah; and Lola. Her sisters in law; Leanna Yahonatan; and Helen Briston; brothers in law, Jessie Murray; and Edward Jones; plus a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

“Our Family is a Circle of Strength and love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.”