Albertha Johnston Murray was born on October 26, 1889 in Charleston, S.C., to William Henry Johnston, a deacon of Calvary Baptist Church, and his wife Mary Ellen Virgin Johnston. She was educated at Claflin High School and attended Claflin College (now University) as a Normal school student, graduating in 1909. In 1949, Murray received her B.S. in Education from the State Agricultural and Mechanical College, Orangeburg, S.C. She married Richard Gaillard Murray and had one daughter, Hazel Thelma Murray Stewart. Murray taught at numerous private and public schools in Charleston County, beginning with Humbert Wood Public Elementary School on Johns Island. She taught at Dart Private School, Avery Normal Institute and Four Mile Public Elementary School. In 1927, Murray was hired as a teacher at Cut Bridge Elementary School on James Island. She eventually became the school's principal, seeing to its renovation and expansion. In 1955, the school re-opened as Murray-LaSaine Elementary School, sharing the title name with Dr. Mary Alice LaSaine, former supervisor of Negro Schools in Charleston County. Murray retired in 1959, and remained active in numerous educational, social, and humanitarian organizations. She served as president and life member of the South Carolina Retired Teacher's Association; treasurer of the Charleston County Principal's Association, and was a member of the Palmetto Education Association, South Carolina Education Association, and a life member of the American Teacher's Association. Murray's civic involvement included service on the Board of Directors of the Charleston Chapter of the American Red Cross, on the Charleston County Tuberculosis Association and McClennan-Banks Memorial Hospital. She served as Coastal District President of the South Carolina Federation of Colored Women's Clubs; and was a member of the National Council of Negro Women, the Charleston Chapter of Links, Inc, the Poinsettia Chapter #129 of the Order of Eastern Star, the Coming Street YWCA (Charleston S.C.), and the Robert Gould Shaw Boys' Club. Murray died on September 13, 1969, at the age of seventy-nine.
From the description of Albertha Johnston Murray papers, ca. 1909-1970 (bulk 1920-1965). (College of Charleston). WorldCat record id: 166408949
