By Alicia Couch Payne
Buford is blessed with families devoted to the community. I had the honor of meeting one of those families recently, the Murrays. I’d met the patriarch on several occasions at the Buford City Schools Central Office without realizing it. Walter Murray is a man one remembers not for his name or position, but for his actions and character. Although I didn’t know his name until recently, I knew I liked him. Each time our paths crossed, I walked away thinking he was a genuinely kind man.
In August, Mr. Murray will retire from the Buford City School System after 48 years of service. I was asked to tell his story, and this is how I learned the identity of the kind gentleman who always made me smile. It is a story of a man and his family dedicating their lives to the betterment of the Buford community. The Murrays are a hardworking, selfless, loving family that will leave Buford better than when they “found” it.
Arriving in Buford in 1956 from the small town of Lincolnton, GA, Walter found work building the new powerhouse on Lake Lanier. He married Maebelle in 1958. Walter’s career at Buford City Schools began in 1971 when he was hired as a custodian at Buford Elementary School. He spent most of his time at BCSS’s middle school. His hard work and dedication were noticed, and in 2004 Walter was promoted to the school system’s head custodian.
In a statement, the Buford City Schools reflected on Walter’s 48 years of service to the children, staff, and buildings. “Mr. Murray has provided a quiet strength for over four decades that has truly been a crucial part of Buford City Schools’ foundation. His work in the district, as well as the community, has impacted many and will be greatly missed when he retires. We are thankful for his service and dedication to our system.”
Behind every great man is an equally great woman. Maebelle Murray has always been a galvanizing force, and her good cooking is the stuff of legends. She raised three children, Linda, Deborah, and Dennis, while Walter worked two jobs. Her love of family is evident in the large meals she prepares at family dinners every Friday. Maebelle’s love has extended to the entire community as she has volunteered and cooked for school functions for many years.
Linda, their eldest child, graduated from BHS in 1975 and is married to Rufus Smith. She completed both her student teaching and entire 34-year career in the Buford City School System working as a teacher, administrator, and counselor. The most memorable moment of her career was winning the system-wide Teacher of the Year Award. In retirement, Linda continues to work for Buford by coordinating the high school’s SAT testing, Saturday school, and assisting at sporting events.
Middle child Deborah graduated from BHS in 1979 and is now a retired educator who spent her career at Loganville High School and Youth Middle School. Her son Adam is a BHS graduate as well. Deborah currently works for Buford City Schools helping with SAT testing and assisting at sports events.
Walter will leave his position in the hands of his son Dennis, a 1984 Buford High School graduate who has been working alongside his father since 1980, when he worked part-time as a custodian at Buford Middle School. In 1984 he was brought on full-time. He was transferred to the high school where he will remain until he takes over for his father as the Manager of Custodial Services this August. Dennis has four children: Derrick, 35; Demetris, 29; Alexus, 22; and Delaina, 18 and a stepson, Chastin Newman, 22. His four children each graduated from Buford High School. Dennis is kept in line by his lovely wife, Dr. Linda K. Murray. With 39 years of service to Buford already, Dennis could easily surpass his father’s 48 years.
I feel honored to have met this dynamic family. It is because of families like the Murrays that Buford remains a family-oriented city and holds true to its identity. This family embodies everything Buford stands for.
