Celebration of Life, Mr. Murray "Chief" Brumfield, April 2, 1930 - February 13, 2015, Saturday, February 28, 2015 11:00 AM, Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2321 Thaila st., New Orleans, LA 70113, The rev. Keith Sanders, Pastor, Officiating

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Mr. Murray "Chief" Brumfield was born on April 2, 1930 in Bolivar, LA., to the late Reverend Homer and Sybell Briggs Brumfield.
He attended Big Creek and Big Zion schools in Tangipahoa Parish.
In 1948, he met and married the love of his life Willie Jean Smith. They began their life's journey together in Roseland, LA., then re-located to Chicago, IL. After several years of working in Illinois they returned to Roseland, then moved and began building a life in New Orleans, LA. God blessed their union with 9 children.
Murray, respectfully known as "Chief", joined church and accepted Christ at an early age, as a member of Big Creek African Methodist Episcopal Church in Kentwood, LA. Later he joined Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church #2 Roseland, LA. In 1951, Rev. Homer Brumfield organized Turner Chapel #2 where Murray served as one of the first members and as the Sunday School Superintendent. Upon moving to New Orleans, Murray became a member of Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, New Orleans, LA. Appointed to the Steward Board by the late Reverend Dr. Lorenzo G. Clark, he was reappointed by the Reverend Dr. Thomas B. Brown and named Vice-Chairman of the Steward Board. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, Chief temporarily moved in with his Sister- in - Love, Laverne, and became an affiliated member again at Turner #2 and served with the Sons of Allen . He continued to remain a dedicated member of Union Bethel for 50+ years until his health prevented him attending.
Known as a tough and meticulous employer, who despised service calls, Murray's work ethic was centered on excellence and supreme quality. To this end, he began his employment years first at the Roseland Box Factory, then working as a "block setter" at the Fluker Lumber Yard. He would later realize his true skills and gift that
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would charter his career for the next fifty years with the Artistic Floor Covering Company and eventually, Robert Hack's Floor Company. In 1971, he and his son Robert formed the Brumfield and Sons Floor Covering Company and soon established a reputation as an outstanding carpet mechanic who could perform the jobs that seemed impossible. As a result, Murray was responsible for covering the floors of most of the major department stores and office buildings, along with thousands of homes in the Greater New Orleans area, Southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Always willing to teach young people lessons and train them in a skill that would empower them for life, "Chief" hired or worked all of his sons, many of his nephews, and nearly all of their friends over a long and productive career that inspired many of them to become entrepreneurs forming their own businesses and floor covering companies.

Known as a man of honesty and integrity, Murray was considered a friend and confidant to many of New Orleans prominent and leading judges, attorneys, political, social and business leaders.

He leaves to cherish his memory 7 Children: Julia (Jeffrey) Vappie, the Rev. Dr. Robert

(Sharon) Brumfield, Sr. of Southfield, MI., Gwendolyn Sedillo of Albuquerque, NM.,

Tammy (Larry) Clark of Katy, TX., Derek Brumfield, Sr., Damon (Aiisha) Brumfield; and

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Patrick (Sandy) Brumfield. 27 Grandchildren, 31 Great-Grandchildren; two Sisters:

Pearlie Mae Ware and Gertrude Bailey, a sister-in-love Laverne Brumfield, adopted

sons Rene Jourdain, Thomas Aaron, Clifton Brumfield, Noel Maestri, The Rev. Dr.

Harold Mayberry, A. Guy Bradley, Danny Harris, and a host of nieces, nephews, other

relatives and countless Proteges.

He is preceded in death by parents: the Rev. Homer and Sybell Brumfield, beloved wife Willie Jean "Mother", two sons: Mark Anthony and Drexthel Brumfield; two granddaughters: Jalea Brumfield and Tifffany Cravinas, one sister: Lettie Walker, and ten brothers: John David, Monroe, Hollie, Alexander, Arsinue, Peter, Richard, James, Arelus, and Albert.

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Hymn of Praise Invocation Scripture Reading

Rev. Keith Sanders, Pastor Officiating
Beacon Light of New Orleans Praise Team )

Old Testament Psalm 90

The Rev. Emmanuel Lain
Assoc. Minister-Christian Unity Baptist Church New Orleans, LA

New Testament

The Rev. Kerry James

Revelation 21:1-7 Pastor-Oak Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church

Kentwood, LA

Musical Selection Acknowledgements/Condolences

Beacon Light of New Orleans Praise Team
F Ms. Maria Burke

The Church Resolution Expressions
Musical Selection

Sis. Althea W. Latimore
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Church/Friends

Grandchildren Janine Brumfield

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Children Dr. Robert Brumfield

Beacon Light of New Orleans Praise Team

Musical Selection

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Pastor-First African

Recessional

The Rev. Keith Sanders

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Robert Brumfield, Jr. Terrence Brumfield, Sr. Jared Vappie

Active Pallbearers

Taryll Brumfield Jeffery P. Vappie, Jr.
Joshua Vappie

Joe Brumfield Clodi Brumfield Rene Jourdian Thomas Aaron Noel Maestri

Honorary Pallbearers
Union Bethel Steward Board
Flower Bearers
FAMILY & FRIENDS

Wynston Brumfield Ronald Morris
Clifton Brumfield Guy Bradley Danny Harris

Arrangements Entrusted to

Davis Mortuary Service

230 Monroe St.

Gretna, LA 70083

Interment

Providence Memorial Park & Mausoleum

8200 Airline Drive

Metairie, LA 70003

(504) 464-0541

Celebration Gathering/Repast

Union Bethel A.M.E Church Reception Hall

2321 Thalia Street

New Orleans LA 70113

(504) 525-4336

expressions of sympatfiy

hea 1 e thank you!
Se ice We

Especially wish to express our sincere appreciatlornto Aunt

renda arul heir

families for the love, support, and care given to "Chief' during his time with them.

A more personal expression will be sent at a later date.