Dr. Avery McMurry

Dr. Avery W. McMurry, 87, peacefully died on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at Hospice Cleveland County, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born November 7, 1921 in Shelby to the late Andrew Willis and Julia Ligon McMurry. 

     He graduated from the Citadel in 1942 and received his MD Degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1945.  Following a year of internship at Pennsylvania Hospital, and then serving two years as Flight Surgeon in Europe with Air Transport Command, he returned to Philadelphia and completed 5 years of surgical residency.  There, he met and fell in love with Virgina Faunce.  In 1953, they returned to Shelby, were married, and he started his General Surgery practice.

     He completed 44 years of private practice in 1997, having served during his career as Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff, as well as president of the local Medical Society.  He was instrumental in starting the Cancer Program and served as Chairman for 25 years.  The past l8 years (through April 2009), he has directed the continuing Medical Education Program at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.

     He was a Rotarian for over 30 years and a Paul Harris award recipient.  Other community services were extensive including terms on the Board of Jaycees, Toastmasters, Salvation Army, United Way, Hospice, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, and Cleveland Community Foundation.  His service to the American Cancer Society extended over 43 years including local, state, and national offices and a special passion for Relay for Life.

     A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Shelby, he was a Sunday school teacher and Deacon and served many years on the local Young Life Committee.  He was an Eagle Scout and later received the Silver Beaver service award in 1969.  He was particularly proud his three sons and all four grandsons achieved the rank of Eagle.

     Avery was a true southern gentleman known for his love of family, his integrity, his generosity, his dedication to his career, his concern for his patients, and his tremendous faith.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia “Ginny” McMurry, his brother, John Eugene McMurry, and sister, Virginia McMurry Jones Love. 

     Left to cherish his memory are his beloved children:  Dr. Warren Winslow McMurry and wife Linda of Wilmington, Dr. David Willis McMurry and wife Susan of Concord, Harris Ligon McMurry and wife Margaret of Chapel Hill, and Carol McMurry Driscoll and husband Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll of Norfolk, VA as well as eleven grandchildren:  Christopher and Hanna McMurry of Wilmington; Avery McMurry of Cary; Ryan David McMurry of Concord; Shannon Weatherly of Washington, DC; Ligon, Lucy, and Jane McMurry of Chapel Hill; Ginny, Katie, and John Driscoll of Norfolk, Va. 

     The family would like to express their grateful appreciation to Avery’s faithful and loving caregivers at CRMC, Cleveland Pines, Hospice, special caregiver Frances Hudson, dedicated friend Ronnie Jones, and all of “Avery’s Angels” in his final days.

Funeral Services for Dr. Avery W. McMurry will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Shelby, with the Rev. Tony Tench officiating. 

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, and immediately following the funeral services in the Ladies Parlor of First Baptist Church.

Memorials: First Baptist Church, 120 N.Lafayette St. Shelby, N. C.  28150 or Because We Care Fund, 201 E. Grover St. Shelby, N. C.  28150

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