Atrelle Smith Murray was born March 7, 1924 in Sulphur Bluff, Texas to James Henry Smith and Allene Averitt Smith. That year the family moved to Midland, Texas, where her father ranched and grew cotton. “Trell” graduated from Midland High School in 1941. She took business courses offered from Texas Tech and worked at the Bombardier School in Midland, where she recorded statistics of trainers. She met Bill Murray, who was a trainee, at a USO dance. Both loved dancing. Six weeks later, they rode a train to Las Vegas, Nevada, and married on January 10, 1943. Bill reported to Gunnery School the next day.
As a woman behind the scenes, Trell was stationed in many places, like Yuma Arizona, San Antonio Texas, Munich Germany, Clovis New Mexico, Itazuke Japan, and Hampton Virginia. They were also assigned to remote places like Goose Bay, Labrador and Harmon, Newfoundland. There they lived in Quonset huts, knitted for the needy and performed skits to keep busy. Trell’s interests were many. She was an avid bridge player and still played at 97. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing holiday costumes, sports coats and slacks, as well as fashioning large Orphan Annie and Andy dolls for grandchildren. Trell pressed flowers picked in Colorado and California, making them into notes and cards. She framed mirrors with shells collected in the South Seas and Hawaii. In 1998, the U.S. Air Force Academy honored Atrelle with a certificate of appreciation after volunteering in the pharmacy for 25 years. On July 29, 2021, Trell suddenly passed away, joining her beloved husband of 67 years, Bill, in heaven.
Atrelle and Bill had four sons: William Scott Murray (Dianne), Harry Edward “Kipp” Murray (Gwen), Gifford Keith Murray (Deborah) and Mark Murray (died in 1956 of meningitis). Trell is survived by sons Kipp (Gwen) and Giff (Deborah), grandchildren Matt Murray, Ashley Murray Brid, Reed Murray, Megan Murray Foster, Nicholas Murray, Hillary Murray Banks, Robert Murray, plus eleven great grandchildren.
Trell was part of “The Greatest Generation.” She was independent, straight-forward, and loyal. She will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on September 4th, 2021 at Crossroads Chapel, 840 North Gate Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80921. Memorials in honor of Atrelle may be made to the non-profit organization High Adventure Treks for Dads and Daughters, of which her son Kipp is founder and CEO (750 International Parkway, Suite 115, Richardson, TX, 75081), or to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Atrelle and Bill will be laid to rest at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.