Jess Murray, Sr., 85, of Harrisburg died Sunday, August 21, 2005, at his residence.

He was born in Harrisburg and was a lifetime resident of the Harrisburg community and was Harrisburg's Barber. He had owned and operated Murray's Barber Shop since 1956. He was the Poinsett County Veterans Service Officer for 31 years and had assisted many families with VA benefits. He was a US Army veteran, having served in World War II and Korea. He was a POW in World War II and a member of the American Legion, VFW and the DAV. He was a member of the Poinsett Masonic Lodge #184, a 32 degree Mason and member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church near Harrisburg, where he was a former Sunday School teacher and former Sunday School Superintendent. He loved to hunt and fish, but his passion was helping people in need. He worked behind the scenes on many community projects. He was a former Grand Marshal for the Harrisburg Christmas and received many volunteer service awards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark M. Murray and Nellie Reynolds Murray; his wife, Mable Marie Neldon Murray; two brothers, Ray Reynold Murray and Mark Murray; two sisters, Melvira Murray Kirk and Selma Murray Blanche and one granddaughter, Zoyie Davis.

He is survived by one son and daughter in law, Jess Murray, Jr. and his wife, Carolyn of Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Amanda Bush, Katrina Hall, Jessica Louellen, Sonia Smith and Wayne Davis and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at Weston Funeral Service Chapel in Harrisburg with Rev. Robert Hunt and Rev. Captain Lovell officiating.

Interment with full military honors followed at Bolivar Cemetery near Harrisburg.

Active pallbearers were Jim Tom Butler, Jim Jim Butler, Lloyd Evans, Nolan Evans, Phil Patterson and Mike Gosha. Honorary pallbearers were Denton Peabody, Jackie Prince, GW Nix, Nolan Norris, Gene Crough, Jimmy Heeb, David Drum, Christopher Hall, Rodney Stotts, members of the American Legion CC Hill Post 12, members of the VFW and members of the Poinsett Masonic Lodge #184.

Lasting memorials can be made to the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church in Harrisburg or the American Legion CC Hill #14 in Harrisburg.