Charlotte Crawford Murray, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 25, 1934, to Fletcher and Frances Crawford in Hannibal, Mis­souri.
 Charlotte graduated from Monroe City High School in 1951 and continued her education at Gem City Business College. On December 25, 1951, she married the love of her life, Samuel Murray. Their journey together began when Charlotte followed Sam to boot camp in San Antonio, Texas in June of 1952. The couple then moved to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, where they welcomed their first son, Richard Lynn, in 1954. In 1955, they welcomed their second son, Randall Keith, in Hannibal, Missouri, and then continued their military journey to Salina, Kansas. In 1957, the family returned to Monroe City, Missouri, to work at the family grocery store, Crawford’s Grocery. There, they completed their fam­ily with the birth of their third son, Ronald Jay, in 1958 and their fourth son, Jeffrey Scott, in 1962.
 In 1965, Charlotte and Sam established Murray’s Grocery in Monroe City, Missouri, which they op­erated until 1979. In 1980, they purchased Smitty’s Grocery in Hunnewell, Missouri, which they ran until 1985. Charlotte was truly the heart of these operations, serving as bookkeeper, clerk, and jack of all trades. Later in life, she worked at the Clarence Cannon Water District and then retired from the City of Hunnewell as the City Clerk after many dedicated years of service.
 Her greatest love and achievement was her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Char­lotte treasured her family above all else and created a legacy of love that will continue through generations. She devoted over 800 hours to designing and crafting Christmas stockings for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each one a labor of love and testament to her dedication to family traditions.
 She is survived by her husband, Samuel; her four sons and their wives: Rick and Caroline Murray; Randy and Jeannine Murray; Ronald and Donetta Murray; and Jeff and Sandy Murray. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Brandon Murray (Weston and Wyatt); Kelly and Adam Telfer (Lincoln and Rhys); Ryan Murray; Aaron and Bethany Murray (Drake, Milah, Jade and Boone); Jaclyn and Jordan Sloan (Calla and Romy); Mark and Bethani Murray; Emily Murray; Brandon and Victoria Williams (Owen, Reid, Jack); and Claire Murray.
 Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Fletcher and Frances Crawford, and her sister, Mary Dixie Crawford.
 Charlotte enjoyed listening to Crystal Gayle and Frank Sinatra, and true to his hit song, “My Way,” she lived her life with purpose and grit.
 Charlotte will be fondly remembered for her sharp wit, strong work ethic, water skiing on Route J Lake, trips to JC Penney and Kelly’s Tavern with Donetta and Jeannine, and the heart she brought to family gather­ings, including her famous Christmas stockings, bris­ket, deviled eggs, and meatballs.
 There will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Croix Hospice Care 1517 Union Avenue, Suite D, Moberly, Missouri, 65270