Barbara Jean Murray Obituary (1937

Barbara Jean Pinkston was born on December 12, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Barb, as she was known to family and friends was the second of two daughters born to Mary Ann Pinkston. She and her sister Julia Mae Smith were raised in Cincinnati until their mother’s passing in 1947. They were then relocated to a cotton farm in Montgomery, AL owned by her Uncle Ed and Aunt Betsy and thus introduced to the rigors of every day farm life. In high school Barb was an honors student with her sights set on a career in nursing. However, in lieu of nursing, she opted to serve her country by joining the U. S. Military. During Barb’s duty as a member of the United States Air Force she met and married her husband James Phillip Murray and immediately formed a genuine bond with the entire Murray family. After leaving the military, Barb continued her government service as a civil service employee until her retirement in May 2002. She was a loving and devote wife and after 49 years of holy matrimony, Jim passed on October 15, 2009. They were blessed with three children; Rhonda, Frederick and James, Jr. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Barbara was an amazing woman. Her sense of humor, laughter, caring nature and selfless giving was evident to all those who knew her. Barb transitioned from this earth on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Great Lakes Veterans Administration Hospital, North Chicago, Illinois. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her three children; Rhonda (Barry) Storms, Frederick (Dana) Murray and James Murray, Jr., six grandchildren; Jeffrey, Phillip, Chase, Tannor, Ashton and Teagan, one great grandson; Jayden James; brother-in-law; Frederick (Gwen) Murray; Sister-n-law Carrie (Glen) Smith; brother-in-law Stephen (Linda) Murray and a host of nieces and nephews. Barb is preceded in death by her husband Jim, grandson Justin, brother-in-law Ulysses Murray, sister-in-law Barbara Jean Mackey and brother-in-law Julius ”Romi” Mackey. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 beginning at 9:00am till time of service which will begin at 11:00am at The Memorial Chapel of Waukegan, 1521 Washington Street, Waukegan IL 60085. Burial with Military Honors will follow at North Shore Garden of Memories in North Chicago. For more information please call, (847) 623-3730.