Alma Scoggins Murray

Alma Scoggins Murray (Mama, Grandmother, Grand Ma Ma, Elmo) passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday, January 14, 2024 following a short period of declining health. She was born in Commerce Georgia on July 5, 1933 to Dr. Paul Thurmond Scoggins Sr. and Emma Greer Scoggins. She graduated from Commerce High School, then attended Agnes Scott College before meeting and marrying Dr. Hamil Murray in 1952 - a union that lasted 64 years despite knowing each other only three months!

          After a brief residence in Atlanta, she and Hamil moved to Gainesville in 1954, where he served as Hall County Hospital’s first pathologist. They resided in Gainesville the rest of their lives, raising four children relatively unscathed.

Alma served her community well. She was a member of the Junior Service League and the Hall County Hospital Auxiliary.  Because of a special love of children, she was an early volunteer worker and fundraiser with Challenged Child (now Sisu). She “kept the nursery” at her church for years. She had a strong belief in God. She also had a strong belief that every child should go to the beach for a week, so every summer she made that happen. She loved her family, First Baptist Church, her home, her community, bridge, gardening, flowers, grits, and tomato sandwiches. She was optimistic, beautiful, and always impeccably dressed. She could sometimes be caught tending her roses in heels!

Alma was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brothers Paul and Billy Scoggins, her son Zack, and a grandson, Paul Murray. She is survived by her children and their spouses Bond and Lisa Murray, Tom and Donna Murray, and Paula and Robin Sawyer, along with a host of beloved and loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She will be missed terribly by all those who knew her, including her Springdale Road family.

Following a private graveside burial, a memorial service will be held in the chapel of Memorial Park North Funeral Home on Saturday January 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, immediately prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the charity of their choice.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

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