Raymond "Bubba" Lee McMurrian

Raymond Lee McMurrian (Bubba) was born in Urbana, Arkansas on July 4, 1942 to the late Robert Lee, Sr. and Lillie Belle McMurrian.  Bubba departed this life peacefully on September 9, 2018 at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, Michigan.

Bubba was a 1961 graduate of Gardner High School; Strong, AR.  He moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1965 in search of employment opportunities. He worked for several automobile factories until he moved back to Arkansas in 1979, where he made the city of Strong his permanent residence. Bubba decided it was time to take it easy, relax and do things in a more laid back atmosphere.  After moving back to Arkansas, he gained employment with Cooper Standard Automotive Inc., where he remained until his retirement.

Bubba enjoyed fixing and building things. He would let you know how he built walls, cabinets and laid flooring in his home. After retirement, Bubba had a lot of time on hand.  He and his son, Lane and friend, James Foreman, established a business mowing lawns and remodeling homes.  He loved listening to “Blues Music” for hours, eating good food and most of all enjoying desserts.  Bubba was an active member at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church #2 in Urbana, Arkansas and he was a member of Early View Masonic Lodge #181.  

Bubba was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee Sr. and Lillie Belle McMurrian, his wife Carolyn Ruth McMurrian; two brothers: Waymon Lee McMurrian and Robert Lee McMurrian, Jr.  He leaves to celebrate his memories:  one son, Raymond Delane McMurrian of Detroit, MI; five daughters, Tammy (Abayomi) Folarin of Macomb, MI; Lynn Hare of Detroit, MI; Yawanda T. Aiken of Detroit, MI; Tanekia R. Henry of El Dorado, AR; Lisa (Will) Baxter of Dallas TX; step-mother, Mary Ann McMurrian of Strong, AR; two step brothers, James Andrews of El Dorado, AR; and Glen Evans of Little Rock, AR; two step-sisters, Carolyn Meadows of Strong, AR, and Barbara Morgan of Dallas, TX; five sisters-in-law, Helen McMurrian of Redford, MI, Johnnie Mae McMurrian of Oakland, CA; Brenda Bradley-Philson (Mike) of Arkadelphia, AR, Pearlie Ruth Pierce and Jimmie Barnes both of El Dorado, AR; one brother-in-law, Willie Lee (Carolyn) Norman of Urbana, AR; Two aunts, Arcie B. Gentle of El Dorado, AR, and Willie Mae Wallace of Atlanta, GA; 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends. 

Public visitation will be Thursday, September 20, 2018 from 12-5 p.m. at Sims Mortuary. Funeral services will be Friday, September 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Urbana with Pastor Billy Artis, eulogist. Interment will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Urbana, Arkansas under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com

Active pallbearers will be James Andrews, Freddie Bradley, Jr., Ramundo E. Bradley, Jerry Ford, Nicholas McMurrian, and Danue Pumphrey, Sr. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons and trustees of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.