Rev. Murray Fentress, Sr.

Rev. Murray Fentress, Sr. passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Saginaw, Michigan. Age 76 years. Murray was born on January 31, 1949, in Madison, Tennessee, to Sam and Lessie Fentress.

Murray married the love of his life, Bernie Hudson, and they relocated to Saginaw, Michigan in 1967. From this union five children were born.

Murray enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, watching Westerns and sports. Rev. Murray was ordained as a minister in 1983 under the late Pastor Columbus Clayton. He enjoyed preaching the word of God. He later became an Associate Minister at New Life Baptist Church Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Craig Tatum. Murray retired from General Motors after 44 1/2 years of dedicated service. He was truly a man after God’s own heart and will be greatly missed.

Murray leaves to cherish his memory two daughters, Donna Reddick and Nicol (Henry) Winbush; three sons, Murray Jr. (Robin) Fentress, Byron (Cathareen) Fentress, and Cleve Sr. (Jennifer) Fentress; eleven grandchildren, Michael, Gabriel, Ciara, Deshonna, Willie, Tatiana, Jayveon, Michael, Tatiana, Sanasja ”New New”, and Cleve Jr.; one great-grandchild, Legend; one sister, Vera (Cliff) Merriweather; two brothers, Thomas “TJ” (Brooxie) and Joe Fentress; four sisters-in-law, Alberta Northern, Anita Ranson, Mary (Otis) Brown, and Sandra Fentress; brothers-in-law, Oscar “Squirt” (Angelia) Hudson and James “Snowball” (Tammy) Hudson; many other relatives and friends, including special friends, Jessie McGee, Lavel Moore, and Pastor Sunday and family.

Murray was preceded in death by his wife, Bernie Fentress; parents, Sam and Lessie Fentress; mother-in-law, Elle Hudson; grandson, Jesse; five brothers, Wilson (Callie), Pressie (Anna), Samuel (Mattie), Harvey, and John Fentress; two sisters, Hazel (Raymond) Ellison and Bonnie (Lawson) Allen.

The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Craig Tatum and the New Life Baptist Church Ministries family, Dr. Anam Khan, MyMichigan Saginaw, Kathy Burns and the staff of K & K Adult Foster Care, Ivan E. Phillips and Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.