For more than four decades, Margin Murray made sure the children attending St. Mary On-The-Hill School made it safely across Monte Sano Avenue.
On May 21, the school thanked her by dedicating the corner at Helen Street and Monte Sano Avenue to her, bringing tears to her eyes.
“This is a very special day,” said Pat Douglas, who along with his wife, Maggie, attended the ceremony in Murray’s honor, bearing gifts.
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The Douglases had nine children walk to school under Murray’s watchful eye, and now they have grandchildren at the school.
Maggie Douglas called Murray a grandmother of sorts.
“She always gave gifts to our children,” she said. “She came to all of their school things.”
Murray remembered them on Christmas and their birthdays.
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She also had nicknames for each of the Douglas children. If one stepped off the curb too quickly, she’d sternly call them by the nickname to keep them alert, and if Pat Douglas drove to the school to pick one up and came too close to the curb, she’d give him the evil eye, he said.
At one time, the crossing guard job was Murray’s second job. She retired from the Medical College of Georgia in 2000 after 30 years of service as a nursing assistant and secretary. She worked nights during those years. She’d finish her shift at MCG and go to St. Mary’s to walk children across the street.
“I did it for the kids,” she said.
And she was there in all kinds of weather, even on the rare occasions when the children were let out of school because of snow. She was there to make sure they got across the street.
In addition to naming the corner for Murray and putting a plaque on the brick wall, a small parade honored Murray. She wore a tiara and sash as Laura Kuhlke drove a decorated golf cart from St. Mary On The Hill Catholic Church down Monte Sano to the school.
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Students lined the streets with banners, and they cheered as she passed. Former students and parents also stood outside and presented her with flowers and other gifts.
Also riding in the golf cart was Kate Battey, who like other children, had a nickname. Battey collected the gifts from Murray’s well-wishers. Battey’s nickname was Cheerios because when she started coming to school, she ate Cheerios. Now a student at Aquinas High School, Battey gave Murray a gift of Cheerios, among other items.
Murray’s last day is May 25.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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