Carmen Leigh Rodgers Murray, age 27, of Uvalda, died Friday, July 29, 2022, after an extended illness, at her home, surrounded by family. Carmen was born in Vidalia, Georgia, on October 14, 1994. She was a member of Vidalia Church of God. She attended Toddler Tech Preschool, Toombs Central Elementary, and Toombs County Middle School. She was a Dual Enrollment graduate in 2013 from Toombs County High School. She also attended Brewton-Parker College (BPC) between 2013 and 2015 where she earned the title, Miss BPC. She was a varsity cheerleader for the Brewton-Parker Barons’ basketball team. She also sang soprano for the BPC Voices of Truth.
Carmen worked part time at Duncan McRae House in Mt. Vernon with Ms. Jimmie Sue Bland for several years after high school while attending Brewton-Parker College. She coordinated and hosted the first-ever Mr. and Miss Duncan McRae Pageant. She enjoyed making all the residents feel special, but she was most especially fond of Ms. Bennie Pope.
Carmen later graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Carmen worked part time at Maddie Bea and grew to love Mrs. Robin Barber as a dear friend, as well as her supervisor.
Carmen’s most recent accomplishment was being a Southeastern Technical College graduate with an RN license in December 2021. During her clinical rotation, she was hired by Meadows Progressive Care Unit and was planning to begin her career there in February 2022, but was unable to begin working due to her recurrence with sickness.
If you knew Carmen, you knew her love for animals. She enjoyed many sweet years with her rescue dog, Ivory, and rescue cat, Charlotte. They were some of her best friends. Carmen also loved children. Her love for children and recreational sports drove her to start tumbling classes and cheerleading for the Toombs County Recreation Department. She loved her students, and she was very much loved by them. She was a compassionate Christ-like young lady. Carmen was a giver and a true friend. She loved Christmas and was blessed by our wonderful communities coming together to make it happen for her this year in July. Everyone will forever celebrate Carmen’s Christmas in July. Carmen loved the beach; it was her happy place. One of her favorite places to spend time, whenever she could, was Amelia Island. Most of all, she loved her family passionately, and was blessed in March of 2022 to marry the precious love of her life, Dalton.
She is survived by her husband, Dalton Murray; parents, Jill and Ryan Rodgers; brother, Neal Rodgers and wife, Amy; maternal grandparents, Connie and Kenneth Sowell; paternal grandmother, Linda Rodgers; and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends.
The funeral service was held at Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 12 noon, with Bishop Dan Tomberlin officiating. Burial followed at Lakeview Memorial Gardens with Pastor Warne Merritt.
Pallbearers were Devin Butler, Taylor Dowd, Cole Dowd, Jordy Rhiner, Rhett Rodgers, Rusty Rodgers, and Reid Rodgers.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to Hope Lodge, 1552 Shoup Ct., Decatur, GA 30033; or to Community Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia, Georgia, was in charge of the arrangements.
