Mrs. Ethernell (Murray) Saxon

On December 21, 2022, Ethernell Murray Saxon the revered matriarch of the Saxon/Murray/Washington/Grant/Magwood families passed away peacefully in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Her long, 101-year life made a profound impact on all who knew her. She will always be loved and missed.
 
On March 10, 1921 (back when a loaf of bread was only 10 cents) in Catholic Hill South Carolina, our matriarch was born to Benjamin and Levicy Washington Murray (descendents of Henry Murray and Smart Washington). She was a middle child after Matthew and Purebell and before Viola (deceased as an infant), Viola, and Leon. God-fearing, sincere, dedicated, strong, generous, forthright, quick-witted, bright, fashionable, and service-oriented, Ethernell Saxon lived a life full of love.
 
When she was around 10 years old, she enrolled in the Beaufort County Training School. She graduated 10 years later as Valedictorian and was named Miss Beaufort County Training School. She then attended South Carolina State for two years before she met and married the love of her life. She shared a joy-filled home life with her loving husband of 53 years, George W. Saxon III, whom she married on December 31, 1943. They were together until his death parted them March 2, 1996. They are now happily reunited in heaven.
 
Though Ethernell Saxon worked as an elementary school teacher, preschool teacher, cosmetologist, nurses aid, and business owner (Saxon’s Cleaners, DBA Tower Cleaners), the role she most relished and enjoyed was as MOM. She birthed, raised, and loved 4 children— Gloria, George, Cathleen, and Alvin. She took care of her family (as George says, “[putting] them first.”) as they moved across the globe while her husband served in the United States Army— Massachusetts (1 year), Japan (3 years), Washington DC (10 years), New Jersey (1 year), Augusta, GA (2 years), and El Paso, TX (7 years). George and Ethernell finally then returned to Catholic Hill, SC for retirement. After living solo (as she was a widow) for over 10 years, she relocated to Cherry Hill to live with her daughter, Cathy.
 
Ethernell Saxon/Grandma Saxon/Momma Nell had a very active church and social life. Wherever she lived, she found a way to create a community. She was one of the founding members of Galilee Baptist Church in Washington DC. She was also a member of Friendship Baptist Church in El Paso, TX, and Cumberland United Methodist Church and New Life United Methodist Church in Walterboro, SC. In addition, she was a member of the Eastern Star and the Lone Hebrew Society. If she wasn’t busy enough, she also volunteered for many charities in Walterboro and mentored many youth in the area.
 
One activity, which gave her a lot of joy was hosting gatherings of family and friends. She had a particular knack for making enough food for everyone-- no matter how many guests showed up. Highlight events include her and her husband's renewal of the wedding vows on their 50th wedding anniversary and bi-annual family reunions regularly held for decades. George and Ethernell’s home was always a magnet for children: the friends of their children; nieces and nephews; the youth of the church and community; and their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Some children were even lovingly commandeered for the summers: Jonell, Omar, Hamisi, Ajahmure and Devon. 
 
She is predeceased by her siblings: Matthew, Purebell, Viola, Viola, Leon; brothers-in-law: Ernest Saxon, Herman Saxon, Al McShane; sisters-in-law: Anna Saxon, Rebecca Saxon, Audrey Cargill Murray; her son: Alvin Leonard; her grandchildren: Erica, Omar and Acosewaa; her sons-in-law: Robert Diggs, Cregg Jenkins.
 
Ethernell Murray Saxon leaves a legacy of faith, academic excellence, perseverance, generosity, wit, and love. She also leaves a long line of descendants: her children Gloria Diggs, George Saxon IV, Cathleen Jenkins; her grandchildren: Jonell (James); Kim, Robyn (Terrell), Cynthia, Daniel (Joycelyn), Monique, Keeana (Marc), Hamisi (Tanya), Creg; sister-in-law: Hilda Murray, 17 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, her godchildren: George Cox, Donald Jett and Tony Fludd and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, church members, and friends.
 
As her ancestors and loved ones have received her in heaven with pride, so should we feel proud of having ever been in her presence. Let us walk with our heads held high and continue her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, please make all monetary contributions to: The Ethernell Murray Saxon Scholarship Fund.

Please make checks payable to Mrs. Cathleen Saxon Jenkins; and place EMSSF in the Memo. 

906 Kings Croft, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

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