Ann Garrett Kemp Murray

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mrs. Ann Garrett Kemp Murray, age 90, of Charleston, SC, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at her residence.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Swainsboro First Baptist Church.

Interment will follow in the Swainsboro City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 11, 2022 at the funeral home from 6-8 PM.

Pallbearers are Asa Garrett, Bill Parker, Butch Brown, Kirby Allmond, Matt Oxley and Mark Oxley.

Honorary Escorts will be Lanier Parham, David Parham and Ben Turner.

Mrs. Ann Garrett Kemp Murray was born February 28, 1932, to the late John Ace and Annie Belle Waller Garrett in Swainsboro, Emanuel County, GA. She was a graduate of Swainsboro High School, Class of 1948, and attended Georgia State College. Mrs. Ann was crowned the first Miss Pine Tree Festival Queen in 1946, an honor that she deeply cherished. In 1956 she married Roy Joe Kemp; they traveled during his military career and while employed with DuPont until his untimely passing in 1968.  Mrs. Ann then returned to Swainsboro with their three children, went back to College graduating from Georgia Southern University in 1973,  with a BS in Elementary Education. She taught at Swainsboro Primary School and was the reading coordinator at the Swainsboro Elementary School for several years.  In 1979 Mrs. Ann married Richard Hart Murray, returned to Charleston, SC continuing her teaching career at Murray LaSaine School before opening a manufacturing business with her husband.  After retiring from the manufacturing industry she remained active in short term rentals, the Charleston First Baptist Church, the Senior Center of Charleston and a host of other activities.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands, Roy Joe Kemp  and Richard Hart Murray; son-in-law, Christopher Johns Lyon; sisters, Lessie Brown and Jane Neat Philips; and brothers, Edwin “Eb” Garrett, Frank Garrett, Louis Garrett, and Rufus Garrett.

Survivors include:

Daughter: Lessie Catherine “Kitty” Kemp Lyon of Charleston, SC

Sons: Roy Joe Kemp and John Alfred “Al” Kemp (April) all of Charleston, SC

Grandchildren: C J. Lyon, Angela Lyon, Christian Mercer, Kinsley Kemp and Kiley Kemp

Numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Condolences may be submitted online at www.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com.

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Ann Garrett Kemp Murray of Charleston, SC.

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