Rosa Lee Laws Murray Obituary

Rosa Lee Laws Murray, 80, Johnson City, went to be with the Lord, on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the Johnson City Medical Center, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Rosa Lee was born in Johnson City, raised in Yancey County. NC, until moving back to Johnson City in the early 1960's. She was a daughter of the late Naff Lawrence Laws and Rosa Lee Garland Laws Shepard. Rosa Lee was a homemaker, and a Baptist. She enjoyed more than anything spending Saturdays with her two favorite girls, her daughter and granddaughter. Rosa Lee had a unique gift for connecting with people and making friends wherever she went. In addition to her parents, She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul William Murray, in 2020, three brothers, Junior Laws, Ronald and Donald Shepard, one sister, Betty Mays. Rosa Lee is survived by two children, Paula Lam and husband Jay, Johnson City, Jeffrey Murray and wife Lisa, Johnson City; two grandchildren, Amanda Belt and husband Dustin, Jearoldstown, Savannah Murray and significant other, Chase Metcalf, Erwin; two brothers, Gene Laws and wife Anna, Johnson City, Jimmy Shepard and wife Diane, Rogersville; two sisters, Linda Lipe and husband Larry, Rogersville, Mildred Colquit and husband Mark, Crawford, GA; several nieces and nephews, including special niece, Jackie Johnson and husband David; special cousins, Atlas Bryant, Jim Garland and wife Earlene; sister-in-law Pam Laws; special friends, her sister-in-law Mary Murray, Georgeann Watterson, and Carmen Glover; and her cat, Vera. The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., in the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, with Mr. Louie Blevens, officiating. Graveside committal service will follow at 3:00 P.M. in Happy Valley Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 in the East Parlor of the funeral home. The family requests everyone in attendance wear Rosa Lee's favorite color, Pink.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rosa Lee, please visit our floral store.