George Reid Murray, age 86, went to be with the Lord Monday, September 17, 2018 at Hospice Wendover House in Shelby. Born in the Sunshine community of Rutherford County on November 7, 1931, Reid was the son of the late A.G. Murray and Emma Hoyle Murray. Raised in a Christian farming family, he learned the values of faith, family, hard work and community involvement from an early age. With his wife, Irene, Reid exemplified and passed on these values to their children.

Reid was an active member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church and former deacon at Flint Hill Baptist Church. He was a salesman with Cleveland Sandwich Co. for many years and later with O.E. Ford Lumber Co. Throughout his life Reid shared a love of gardening, travel and gospel music with Irene. Later in life he found a passion for woodworking, creating beautiful furniture and giving new life to antiques. His greatest joy was sharing time and stories with family and friends. Reid's quick wit, kind heart and helpful spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, Reid is preceded in death by three brothers and nine sisters. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Irene Toney Murray of Boiling Springs; two sons, Gerald Murray and wife Sherry of Kings Mountain, and Eugene Murray and wife Beverly of Cary; and one daughter, Shelia Bailey and husband Jim of Woodinville, WA; six grandchildren, Robert Murray, Stephen Murray, Elizabeth Murray, Melissa Wiese, Kaitlyn Hartley, David Bailey as well as seven great-grandchildren Shaun, Arya, Ian, Braylee, Desmond, Joanna and Emma.

Funeral service will be held 2 pm Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Boiling Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Keith McKinney, Rev. Jim Richardson and Rev. Keith Dixon officiating. Burial will follow the service in Cleveland Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 5 pm until 7 pm at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 20150; Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, Building Fund, 801 Mt. Lebanon Church Road, Bostic, NC 28018; and Gantts Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 618 Gantts Grove Church Road, Mooresboro, NC 28114.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Murray.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.