America Murray

America Murray

Upcoming Events

Aug

2

Viewing

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Dickerson Mortuary

4700 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Send Flowers

Aug

2

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Dickerson Mortuary, LLC. ( Ollie M. Dickerson Memorial Chapel)

4700 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405

Send Flowers

Aug

2

Interment

1:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Pine Hill Cemetery

SC

Send Flowers

Services provided by

Dickerson Mortuary, LLC

America Murray Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
America didn't care to be looked after. She was around 3 years old when her mother Eunice and I dropped her off at daycare for the first time. I carried her and her mom carried her bag of necessaries. As we entered the noisy room, she looked around at all the strangers. She began to wriggle in my arms. I gave her a reassuring squeeze but that's not what she wanted. She squirmed to the floor and dashed off into the swarm of kids. Three hours later she had to be taken back by force.

She had every advantage in life, except time.

She was born an American citizen in Bo, Sierra Leone, September 16, 1987, to Eunice Baindu Koroma and me, David Frank Murray, a Peace Corps Volunteer. Just before she turned 2, she left her adoring grandmother Tenneh in Bo and met her adoring grandparents Ann and Taft in Boston. We moved to suburban Maryland, and there was her adoring Aunty Mariama.

On weekends, we took the Metro to the National Zoo and the Smithsonian. She went off with us, and with extended family, to Boston, and Disney world, and the Grand Canyon. She went with a high school group to Spain, and her friend Yidan took her to China. She attended 4-H Camp Middlesex, where my sisters and brother had gone in their childhood. She visited her aunt and uncle in Japan.

She received a fantastic public school education in Maryland, Connecticut and South Carolina. She loved her art classes and teachers at Stratford High. Then she went to Clemson.

From the time she first saw Clemson, she never thought of going anywhere else. She was an RA. She had an internship semester at Disney World. She had a summer internship working on the Hunley.

Yet, given all that, her fierce independence led her to start almost entirely over, and on her own. Her grandma Ann says that the theme song to America's life should be "My Way".

She worked at the Clemson Chipotle for 10 years and became a manager. She took care of herself, a dog, and a cat. She earned a degree in computer science. Then she went to work in IT at the Clemson Foundation.

She lived on her own because that suited her, and she herself had earned everything she had, and she didn't care to be looked after, but she couldn't keep the people at Clemson from doing just that. If I could, I would express to her Clemson family the depth of my gratitude.

And, if I could, I would say to my daughter America: Good work, kid. You did it your way.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign America Murray's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 14, 2025

Gracie Carlson posted to the memorial.

July 14, 2025

Mary Gildersleeve posted to the memorial.

July 10, 2025

Sophia Parker posted to the memorial.

14 Entries

Gracie Carlson

July 14, 2025

America brought such warmth and light into every interaction, no matter how small. Her kindness and presence were felt deeply and will be missed. I´ll always remember building the tallest (and maybe least structurally sound) spaghetti tower with her at our team retreat. I was new to the group, and she welcomed me without hesitation. Wishing peace and comfort to her family, friends, and all who were lucky enough to know her.

Mary Gildersleeve

July 14, 2025

America - you were such a joy to be around! May you be at peace and know just how loved you are!

Sophia Parker

July 10, 2025

America the beautiful! It is hard to believe that you are gone. That your positive energy is no longer with us. It has been at least 20 years since I last heard your voice, saw you smile, or given you a hug. You were one of my best friends and I wish that we never drifted apart. I always thought of you my dear friend. I would wonder how you were doing. I wished that you were still creating new memories with us. My heart breaks for those that had the honor of knowing the woman you became. My heart breaks for your family. And my heart breaks for all of us that lost knowing the incredible person you were! May you rest well my friend!

Heather Dromm

July 9, 2025

A beautiful soul and pure joy to work with at Clemson! When she joined our team 15 months ago, I often joked that she had knocked me out of 1st place for the Happy to Be Here Club. America fit right in with our team and I learned so much from her on and off "the clock." America is sorely missed already and I'll honor her memory by spreading that joy with others. Love and prayers to her family as you walk through your grief journey.

David Murray

July 9, 2025

Thank you for this wonderful memorial to my daughter. It is comforting to know that she was so loved.

Karen McCauley

July 9, 2025

America was an exceptional work colleague and friend to many of us at the Clemson University Foundation. Her enthusiasm for life emulated through her bold smile and exuberant laughter. Her work at Clemson mattered - she helped many along the way. We miss her but will keep our memories close. Our sincere prays and condolences are offer to her friends and family.

June Doss (Ulrich)

July 9, 2025

I remember the dance we got ready for, can´t remember which one, the sleepovers, the times we hung out outside of school with our group of friends. Time got away and life took its own course. I never stopped thinking about her.

Mia Tensley

July 9, 2025

America was a true testament to the journey from student to valued colleague. She continued her education journey at TCTC, later joined our staff, and then continued her impactful career at Clemson University.
I still remember her joy and appreciation when she shared with me that she was to be employed at Clemson University.
America was consummately professional and incredibly efficient. She had an extraordinary ability to troubleshoot situations in an impossibly short amount of time. More than her remarkable skills, she was always full of energy and positivity.
She will be so deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her across both institutions.

Alisha Fowler

July 9, 2025

"America", such a bold life and spirit that will be missed greatly but not forgotten at Clemson University Foundation. She would enter a room or meeting space with a smile no matter the situation; Never hesitant to introduce herself and always exemplified a great benefit in her work and to her colleagues. Sincere condolences to her family& friends.

Tim Jones

July 9, 2025

The word that continues to come to mind when I hear America's name is 'joy'. She genuinely demonstrated what it looks like for someone to share kindness and joy with every person. We miss America deeply. I will do my best to honor her by demonstrating more joy in the way that I live. What a delightful person and a wonderful soul. She loved life and loved people, and it has been a gift to know her.

Musu Murray

July 9, 2025

Mary Frances Csernak

July 9, 2025

America was always a ray of sunshine. She was always sharing funny videos with the Team to help us get over our mid-day slump. America always went out of her way to invite her team members to lunch or tea. I will miss her laugh, thoughtfulness, and collaboration. I will also miss talking about music we love, drinking tea, and talking about our wacky animals! America was truly a special person. I am so fortunate to have gotten to know her and she will be deeply missed.

Clemson IT Team

July 9, 2025

She brought a special light to our office-always arriving with a smile and a genuine enthusiasm for the work we shared. Her passion for her projects was evident in everything she did, and her commitment to professionalism set an example for us all.
 
More than just a talented team member, she was a kind and joyful presence whose positivity lifted those around her. Her absence is felt deeply, but her spirit, work ethic, and warmth will remain with us.
  
America was a cherished member of our work family whose love for her team and love for her job made a lasting impact

"Coach" Pamela Altstatt

July 9, 2025

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of America Murray. I had the privilege of having her as a student in my Spring 2021 class, which met on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:20 p.m. From the very first day, America brought a positive spirit and genuine kindness into the classroom that made a lasting impression on both her peers and myself.

America was always willing to help others. Her generous heart and eagerness to lift those around her were evident in everything she did-whether offering support to a classmate or volunteering to assist with technical challenges. She even expressed interest in interning for my lab the following semester, simply because she wanted to continue supporting students. That desire to serve and empower others speaks volumes about the kind of person she was.

I also had the joy of seeing America thrive in our IT lab. Her confidence and competence were matched only by the warmth she brought into the space. I will never forget the smile she brought to my face when she would walk into another one of my classes just in time to troubleshoot a technical issue-always with grace and good humor.

America was a bright light. Unforgettable. Her absence will be deeply felt by all of us who were lucky enough to know her, even for a short time. I will always think of her fondly and am grateful to have been a small part of her journey.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My thoughts are with all who loved her and continue to carry her memory.

With sympathy,
"Coach" Pamela Altstatt

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Dickerson Mortuary, LLC

4700 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

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Upcoming Events

Aug

2

Viewing

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Dickerson Mortuary

4700 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Send Flowers

Aug

2

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Dickerson Mortuary, LLC. ( Ollie M. Dickerson Memorial Chapel)

4700 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405

Send Flowers

Aug

2

Interment

1:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Pine Hill Cemetery

SC

Send Flowers

Services provided by

Dickerson Mortuary, LLC