Wilene Bennett Murray

Wilene Bennett Murray, 85, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Fielder Church, 1323 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please support The Texas Masonic Retirement Center's No Mason Left Behind Project at https://yourtmrc.org/donate/ and Pursley Missionary Baptist Church at 8120 FM 642 Purdon, TX 76679.

Wilene was born March 18, 1938 in Pursley, Texas to Willie Mae and Albany Haskell Bennett. She grew up around farming and ranching in the Pursley community in Navarro County Texas. She married ML "Dean" Murray also of Pursley in 1956 and shortly thereafter moved to Arlington, Texas. They were blessed to share just over 60 years together until Dean passed in 2016.

After moving to Arlington, Wilene worked for the Turnpike Authority and later for the City of Arlington where she made life long friends. As children came along, she became involved in their activities and eventually left full time employment. From dance and cheer to sports and FFA, her children became her focus and her joy. This remained true until those children had children and her new favorite activity became being "Nana"!

Wilene and her husband Dean were faithful members of Fielder Road Baptist Church for over 50 years. Wilene enjoyed her time in the choir and later supported Dean in his role as a Deacon. Yes, Wilene filled many roles in her life... a daughter, an aunt, a wife, a mother a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She was the ever-present momma-bear, but there was no role she was more proud of than the role of being "Nana"!

Survivors: Wilene is survived by her children Cindy Francis and her husband Joseph and Cory Murray and his wife Dana. Her grandchildren Sarah Hendrick and husband Aaron, Rachael Randall and husband Derek, Joseph Francis and wife Claire, Shelby Ingram and husband Eric, Erin Murray. Her great grandchildren Savannah and Noah Swanson; Luke, Finn and Tate Randall; Joseph, Bernadette and Helena Francis; Evorly and Easton Ingram, in laws Larry and Sue Murray; nieces... nephews... cousins... friends... brothers and sisters in Christ.

The family would also like to offer a special Thank You to the staff of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, especially the "blue wing" nursing staff that took such loving care of our mom these past two years. You were a true blessing to her and our entire family!