Ora Elena Murrell

Service for Ms. Ora Elena Murrell, 48, of Columbia, South Carolina will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026 1:00 pm at Turner Memorial AME Church 1122 Monticello Rd. West Columbia, South Carolina..Ora Elena Murrell, affectionately known as Elena, was a daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend to many. She was called home unexpectedly on July 1, 2026, leaving behind a community of loved ones whose lives were forever enriched by her presence. Elena was born on July 16, 1977, to Willie Kate Etheridge and Charles L. Murrell Sr. She was the only child born to this union. From the time she was a toddler, she was lovingly raised by her stepfather, Rudolph Etheridge, whose steady devotion helped shape the woman she became. She was a graduate of W.J. Keenan High School, where her determination and drive were evident from an early age. She went on to pursue her undergraduate education at Lander University, where she became a proud and devoted member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a sisterhood that reflected her lifelong commitment to service, excellence, and community. Elena built a career defined by service and hard work. She spent years in South Carolina politics, lending her talents to the South Carolina Democratic Party, a U.S. Senate campaign, and the Friend of Jim Clyburn campaign for Congress. She was proud to have worked on two presidential campaigns, experiences that reflected her deep belief in civic engagement and her tireless work ethic. Elena was known by many during this time as Elena Kershaw, before later returning to her family name, Murrell. In recent years, she brought that same dedication to her role as a Final Assembly Operator at Westinghouse Nuclear, where she was known as a steady, reliable presence right up until her passing. Those who knew Elena knew her work ethic was unmatched. She showed up fully, faithfully, and without question for every person and every responsibility she took on. Dependable to her core, she was the kind of person you could count on before you even had to ask. But it was her love that defined her most. Elena loved her family and friends with deep devotion. She was protective in the truest sense—a safe harbor for the people she claimed as her own. To be loved by Elena was to know you had someone in your corner, always.She had an eye for beauty in all its forms. Whether it was a perfectly curated outfit or a beautifully appointed room, Elena brought elegance and intention to everything she touched. Her love of fashion and interior design was an expression of who she was: refined, thoughtful, and full of life. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Willie Kate Etheridge and Charles L. Murrell Sr.; and her grandmother, Mildred A. Murrell. She leaves to cherish her loving memory: her father, Rudolph Etheridge; a host of siblings, Alex Lavell Bailey Jr. (Stephanie), Miguel Etheridge, Janelle Etheridge, Randal Etheridge, Charles L. Murrell Jr., Quincy G. Murrell, Charles K. Addison, Harold S. Addison, and Tecia C. Murrell; aunts Lorretta Hemming and LTC (Ret.) Evette J. Murrell; uncles Johnny Lee (Barbara), Billy Chestnut (Cassandra) and Reginald Murrell; nephews Xavier L. Bailey, Travis Bailey, Quinton Murrell, Charles Addison, and Draven Addison; great-nephew Zion Murrell; nieces Tia Murrell, Shantelle Murrell, Aleiya Addison, Taylor Addison, Chaniya Addison, and Da’Rhya Addison; great-niece ZiCaia Maultsby-Murrell; her best friend, Christale Spain; and her godson, Zaccheaus Spain; along with a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.

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