Murray D. Lanier passed peacefully at the age of 92 on June 17, 2026, surrounded by family. A celebration of Murray’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville, NC with the Reverend Josh McCord officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Murray was born May 20, 1934, in Richlands, North Carolina to the late Abraham and Maggie King Lanier. In addition to his parents, Murray was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shelby Taylor Lanier; brother, Hammond Lanier; sisters, Lena McCleney and Dorothy Morton; and nephews, Joseph Taylor, Graham McCleney, Jason Prescott, Kenneth Morton, Michael Morton, and Stephen Taylor.

Murray and Shelby were married December 18, 1953, and together raised four children, Myron “Dee” Lanier and Stephanie Lanier Henry of Jacksonville, NC, Nina Lanier Duren of Clearwater, FL, and William Jonathan Lanier of Greenville, NC. Murray is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Christopher Lanier, Matthew Duren, Ashlyn Blanchard, Lauren Henry, Alyssa Pollard, Annelise Henry, Morgan Lanier, Sarah Duren, Caleb Lanier, Madison Lanier, and Jackson Lanier, and 11 great grandchildren, Dillon Lanier, Timothy Duren, Griffin Lanier, Henry Blanchard, Amelia Lanier, Raegan Blanchard, Airlie Lanier, Sienna Lanier, Gemma Duren, Carson Blanchard, and Charlotte Pickholtz.

Murray had a lengthy career with Sears, Roebuck & Company and worked several years with Bailey & Associates, Inc.; however, his true passion was found in law enforcement. He wore the badge with honor, courage, and pride serving as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army and as a Deputy and Detention Officer with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Department achieving the rank of First Sergeant prior to his retirement in 2008. Murray loved his profession, but his greatest joy was found in time spent with family, especially at their White Lake home. Watching his children and grandchildren enjoy lake life was one of the things he loved and enjoyed most.

Murray was always a man of few words; however, his actions spoke volumes. His quiet, kind, and gentle spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him. We thank God for the blessing of his life and the blessing of time spent with him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Blue Creek Baptist Church, 1251 Burgaw Hwy., Jacksonville, NC 28540 or Whaley’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Wendy Philyaw, 2417 Kinston Hwy., Richlands, NC 28574.