Frieda E. Murray

MURRAY FRIEDA ESTELLE RHONE MURRAY March 1, 1919 - February 4, 2011 Frieda Estelle Rhone Murray, 91, died February 4, 2011 at Fort Washington Medical Center from congestive heart disease. She was born March 1, 1919, in Chandler (Henderson County), Texas, the younger of two daughters born to Fred Gilbert Rhone and Lita Lewis Rhone. Frieda earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry in 1938 and 1939 from Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College (now Prairie View A & M University). She subsequently taught in Prairie View before working during World War II for the Chemical Warfare Service at Edgewood Arsenal, MD. She was married to Samuel Stevenson Murray in Baltimore, MD on August 10, 1947. From this marriage, two daughters were born. For many years, Frieda taught chemistry and earth science at Fairmont Heights High School and Walker Mill Junior High in Prince George's County, MD. She helped organize science fairs at the school and county level, and served as president of the Prince George's Area Science Fair Association. Frieda's lifelong education included study at Sophia University, Tokyo; Eastern Michigan University and Arizona State University. She also travelled extensively for pleasure. For the past 30 years, Frieda lived in the Anacostia Historic District. She was a founding member and first president of the Anacostia Garden Club. She also served three terms on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C and served on a number of mayoral commissions and community boards, including the Anacostia Coordinating Council. Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel (1968) and sister, Carrie Rhone (2006). She is survived by two daughters, Frieda Adelle Murray (Roland Green) and Laura Marie Richards (Robert); adored grandchildren, Violette Green and Robert Samuel (Sam) Richards; nieces, Gloria Jean Murray Bell and Pearl Laura Murray Brown (Clarence); grand-nephew, Karry Brown; grand-nieces, Kelli Brown-Barnes (Frank), Tiffany Bell Snipe (Kendrick) and Tonisha Bell Alston (Edmund); six great-grand-nieces and nephews; godchild, Mardi Pinkney; Mary Craig, a constant friend and presence; and many other relatives and friends. Memorial services will include a visitation at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 10, 2011, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 820 6th Street, (6th and I Sts.), NE, Washington, DC followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Services are being arranged by Pinckney-Spangler Funeral Home, 524 8th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to Calvary Episcopal Church or to the Anacostia Garden Club, c/o Diane Fleming, president, at 2224 R Street, NE, Washington, DC 20020.