Leta Belle Murrow, age 94, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2010 at Mira Vista Care Center in Mount Vernon, Washington.
She was one of 11 children born to Emery and Florence (Frase) Van Mater on July 2, 1916 in Hastings, Nebraska.
Leta grew up in Colorado and was married to Gerald Murrow in 1931. She was a longtime resident of Mount Vernon where she worked as a sales clerk for J.C. Penney’s. For the past 13 years, she has resided in Sedro-Woolley. Leta enjoyed crocheting, gardening, walking, and was a active member of the Free Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. She will always be remembered for her loving, caring, nurturing ways and her positive outlook on life.
Leta is survived by her 2 daughters, Garnet Brandstrom and her husband Bruce of Coulee City, Carol Henson of Alvin, TX, and her son-in-law, Ed Oliver of Mount Vernon. 11 grandchildren, Brenda Grahn of Mount Vernon, Shiela Mitchell of Hamilton, Kim Sanders , Tammy Piefer, and David Henson all of Texas, Lori Carroll, Tracy Carroll, and Tom Carroll of California, Sherry Hendricks of Mount Vernon, Robyn Lee of Spokane and Linda Berthron of Billings, MT. 3 sisters, Eva Mae Watson of Mesa, AZ, Jerry Lind Berg of Mosier, OR, and Emily Olsen of Indio, CA. Numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald in 1972, 7 siblings, 2 daughters, Lenora Carroll and Lois Oliver and a son, Ronald Murrow.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Kathy’s Family Home and Mira Vista Care Center for the special care given to Leta.
A Graveside Service will be Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Hawthorne Memorial Park in Mount Vernon with Pastor Ryan Beagle of the Free Methodist Church of Mount Vernon officiating. A reception celebration of life will be held immediately following the graveside service at the reception room at Hawthorne Memorial Park. Visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley on Tuesday and Wednesday morning prior to the services.
You’re still greatly missed Grandma
Leta was my grandmother. She and Grandpa Gerald made it a point to keep my
bothers and me a part of the family after our parents divorce. I will always love them for having done so.
Rest in piece Grandma Leta
I was very glad to have been able to visit Grandmother Leta the few times Ellie and I made the trip
to Washington State. She was a very impressive lady. I was also very glad that she made it a point
to maintain contact with me and my brothers over the years since my parent’s divorce. I will always
love and appreciate her for that.
Happy trails Grandma,
Your Grandson
Rest in Peace Great Grandma. “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” ~Emily Dickinson
You are loved by many and your memory will live on~
Chad, Christy, and Olivia Hewitt
Brenda, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to your and your family. You were such a blessing to your Gramma making sure that her needs were met. Take comfort in knowing that now you have a Gaurdian Angel to watch over you.
I met Leta Belle at Hillcrest Christian Fellowship in Mount Vernon in the early 1990’s. Leta’s genuinely warm smile, kind words, her enthusiasm to walk for the health of it – she lived as a faithful steward –she exemplified putting faith into action. As Leta was being prepared for her eternal home in heaven, while on earth, she was a blessing to each of us who made her acquaintance along the way.
Thank you, Leta!
Mrs. Helena Kyle
Rest in Peace my precious Gramma. You have been the biggest influence in my life from the time I was a little girl..You taught me to love unconditionaly, to appreciate the simple things in life and to nurture all those around me. It was a honor to love and care for you till your last breath. The circle well continue as I now have my “special grandaughter”
Give Grampa and Momma a hug for me, until we all meet again.
I will love you forever Gramma,
Brenda
I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with you, Great-Grandma, but I wish it could have been more. I will always remember the fun I had visiting you in your beautiful house in Mt. Vernon. Your yard had the prettiest flowers I’ve ever seen anywhere. To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell, “Hallowed Ground”
Rest in peace, Grandma. We were blessed to have you for so long.
Love, Terry, Kim (Meador), and Shelly
My heart goes out to all who new and loved Leta. I am Lori Carroll’s husband of 10 years. I am sure that all of the wonderful qualities that Leta lived in her life are living in each one of you and I see them daily in Lori and have witnessed those same qualities in Tom Carroll and sister Tracy. God bless you all in this difficult time.
That’s the photo I always think of when I think of you. We love you Grandma. Thank you for all you taught us. I am so glad you are with Grandpa after all this time, virtually my whole lifetime! Rest Peacefully. Love Robyn, Liz and Sarah