Elda M Murray

Elda Mae Johnson Murray, 93, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and most recently of Houston, Texas went to be with her Heavenly Father on January 14, 2023, after a long batter with Altzheimer.

Elda Mae Johnson was born to David James Johnson and Mary Jane Gilbert Johnson on August 10, 1929. She is preceded in death by both parents, and siblings Daniel, Shedwood, Oscar, Esther, Sarah Lee, Thomas, David, Gussie, Gertha, and Archie. 

Elda grew up on Vidette Street in Homewood and graduated from Westinghouse High School. For many years she studied piano along with her brother Archie. She worked in a laundry, at Federal Enamel, where she met her husband James and as a dental assistant for Dr. Avent.

During the Civil Rights movement she was one of the first African Americans to work as a sales associate in the hosiery department at Joseph Hornes Department Store. Elda was a freedom fighter boycotting Woolworth’s and their lunch counter in the 60’s and explaining to her girls WHY.  She along with several other interested parents enrolled her girls in an all white school when open enrollment was permitted.  If you could get your children to the school, they could attend.  Her girls walked almost two miles for a better education.

Elda married James Edward Murray on July 1, 1950, and from this union Donna Lei Murray and Andria Lynn Murray were born. Elda was a stay at home mom who did everything. She always baked cookies and all the neighborhood kids knew and wanted her chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies. She was our Martha Stewart. Elda taught her daughters how to play jacks, jump rope and play various board and card games. Elda taught them how to cook, wash and iron clothes and sew.  Elda took her girls to Frick Park, the museums and library. Both girls had library cards at a young age. Each year Elda and Gertha took her girls to the school picnic at Kennywood Park. Everyone knew to stop by House #6 by the railroad tracks for chocolate chip cookies. She was also blessed to have her granddaughters attend vacation Bible School at Bethany and introduced them to Kennywood. Elda always helped others.  She typed her brother, Gussie’s dissertation, with its numerous changes and his very hard to read handwriting, on a manual typewriter.

Elda is a lifelong member of Bethany Baptist Church. She and James were married there and Donna and Andria attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and were baptized there. Elda worked as a volunteer at Vacation Bible School and as a helper in the "Master's Kitchen" for many years. In later years she traveled with her brother, the Rev. Dr. David Johnson to senior homes on Sundays for the service and communion. 

In 2012, Elda moved to Houston where she spent the last ten years living with Andria and attended Rising Star Baptist Church. When she was with Donna she attended Fallbrook Church. After a fall in 2021, Elda entered a memory care facility until her passing. 

Those left to celebrate her life are Donna Jones (daughter); Andria Burrell (daughter); Duane Burrell (son-in-law), Shannon Jones (granddaughter); Courtney Burrell (granddaughter) and nieces,nephews and friends. 

Internment at Lincoln Memorial Gardens in Monroeville, PA.

Services will be held at Bethany Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 24, 2023              Visitation: 10 AM- 11 AM        Service: 11 AM

Arrangements entrusted to ALDRICH FUNERAL HOMES     431 E. 9th Ave     Munhall, PA 15120        412-461-3400

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