Get to know Charlie

Rev. Charlie L. Murray, Jr. is a Charlestonian who has called the Lowcountry home all his life. He was born to parents, Mr. Charlie Murray, Sr., and Mrs. Lorraine Murray of Hollywood, SC. He affectionately goes by Charlie. Charlie attended schools in Charleston County and graduated from Middleton High School in West Ashley. Early in life, he discovered a passion for entrepreneurship and service. This led to him attending Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia.

There, he successfully obtained his degree and passed his licensure for the National Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Charlie’s passion to serve others in his own community during their most vulnerable moments led to him and his sister establishing Murray’s Mortuary of North Charleston, SC, one of the most successful mortuaries in the state. In business, they have become one of Charleston’s leading premier funeral homes serving families across Charleston, the Lowcountry, and the Sea Islands. In May of 2004, he became the youngest funeral service entrepreneur in the state of South Carolina and the business has received recognition by The South Carolina House of Representatives. Charlie has served his community in many capacities, however, one of his greatest duties has been the call to ministry. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Voorhees College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Education and a Master’s Degree of Divinity from Canaan Bible College and has been licensed to preach since August 2008. He currently serves as the Pastor of First Baptist Church of James Island and has done so since 2014.

Charlie is a resident of Ravenel, SC.  He is married to Mrs. Tycely Murray and is the proud father of four amazing children, Anyla, Gabrielle, Ayden, and Chandler. As a husband and a father, he loves spending quality time with his family and the highlight of his life are the moments they share. Currently, he serves on several professional associations, committees, and boards within his beloved community to include the Sea Island Healthcare Comprehensive Cooperation Board, International Council of Griots with the International African American Museum, Board member for James Island Interfaith Action Committee and James Island Outreach, and is a proud member of Beta Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Charlie also serves as a member of the Morris College Board of Trustees serving on the Education and Business

Committee. He is a philanthropist who has given to many causes and local initiatives within his community and beyond. Charlie is committed to improving the quality of life for his neighbors in this part of the Lowcountry, a place he has always called “home.” He is no stranger to the community as a community advocate for various issues. Whether it be through community organizing or a Sunday morning sermon from the pulpit, Charlie has been vocal about the changes needed in our communities and will serve the constituents of District 116 with the utmost pride and dignity. Charlie remains an influential figure within the Lowcountry, and he plans to take those same values and principles of compassion, service, and advocacy that have always guided him to the State House.