Mary Ann Murray's Obituary
Dr. Mary Ann Murray passed away at her home on Monday, June 2, 2008, following a lengthy illness. The daughter of Leila Mae Wooldridge and Edwin Dennis, Sr., she was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and was raised in Oakland, California. Mary Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts from San Francisco State College; her Master of Arts from San Francisco State University; and her Doctor of Education from the University of San Francisco. She was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity in education. Mary Ann dedicated her life to educating youth. She spent 27 years teaching English and Multiculturalism, three years as an Assistant Principal in the Oakland Public School System, and in 1997 was honored as Educator of the Year by the Alliance of Black Educators. At an early age Mary Ann joined church and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She has held membership at various AME churches in Northern California, and joined Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia when she relocated to the Atlanta area in 2001. Rev. Kenneth Marcus served as her pastor at Turner Chapel, where she sang in the choir and attended Sunday services. Mary Ann loved to sing, and studied voice under the tutelage of Barbara Howard-Johnson. She had a beautiful lyric soprano voice, and was a soloist in several choirs. In addition to her enjoyment of singing, she loved to travel, fish, cook, and eat exotic foods. Her social memberships included Ladies of Distinction Civic and Social Club. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Leila, Edwin and Torise, brother Edwin II, uncle Archie Dennis, and cousin John Dennis Jr. Mourning her departure, yet cherishing the memory of her love and devotion are: her daughter, Dr. Lisa Clark; her brothers, Torise Wooldridge, Jr, Oswald Cooper, and Edwin Dennis, Jr.; her sisters, Renee Wilson, Evalena White, Eleanor Henry, and Cheryl Jones; her uncle Julius Bankston; her aunt Carolyn Gamble; nephews, Torise Wooldridge III and John Wilson; her nieces, Cheri Wooldridge, Mia Glenn, and Jasmine Wilson; a host of other relatives, dear friends, and her beloved and faithful dog, Diamond. Memorial services will be announced.
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