Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 28, 2026

James Murrey Atkins, Jr. ("Murrey"), a lifelong Charlottean whose greatest joys were family, friendships, and serving the city he loved, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born on February 4, 1937, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Murrey spent nearly his entire life in the city that shaped him and that he, in turn, helped shape through decades of civic leadership, professional excellence, and community involvement.

Murrey graduated from McCallie High School and later from Duke University, where he was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Following a brief career with American Hospital Supply, he returned home to Charlotte to begin a lifelong career in investment management. He spent the majority of his career at Interstate Securities and continued through its successor firms, Interstate/Johnson Lane and Wachovia Securities. More than his professional accomplishments, Murrey valued the relationships he built with clients and colleagues over many decades.

Family was always at the center of Murrey's life. He married his high school sweetheart, Ann Sellers, and together they shared nearly fifty wonderful years of marriage. Their home in Myers Park was filled with love, laughter, and the activity that comes with raising three boys. Murrey and Ann created a happy family life and a home that welcomed friends and neighbors alike.

The loss of their oldest son, Murrey III, to cancer in 1980 was a heartbreak that remained with him throughout his life. Yet Murrey's love for family never wavered. He maintained close relationships with his sons, their friends, and later his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking genuine interest in their lives, celebrating their accomplishments, and remaining a steady and loving presence for generations of family.

In 2008, Murrey was blessed with a second great love when he married Linda Reed Brown, a dear high school friend. Together they enjoyed eighteen happy years filled with companionship, travel, family gatherings, laughter, and countless cherished memories. Murrey was warmly welcomed into the Brown family and loved deeply by Linda's children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their marriage was a gift to both of them and brought great joy to their later years.

Murrey had a remarkable gift for friendship. He stayed connected to people throughout his life and genuinely enjoyed being with others. Whether on the golf course, at lunch with friends, at church, or gathered around a family table, he made people feel valued and remembered. He especially loved spending time at Litchfield Beach with family, treasured his years with the RODS golf group, and looked forward each year to the Good Fellows Christmas Luncheon, where he was honored in recent years as the longest-attending member in Charlotte..

A devoted member of the Charlotte community, Murrey believed strongly in giving back. He served as President of the Charlotte City Club, President of the Charlotte Sportsman's Club, Chair of the Administrative Board of Myers Park United Methodist Church, Chair of the Board of the North Carolina Council on Economic Education, and President of Friends of UNC Charlotte. He also served on the boards of Trust Company of the South and the UNC Charlotte Athletic Foundation, among many other civic organizations, committees, and task forces. His leadership was always marked by humility, thoughtfulness, and a desire to help others.

Murrey was a longtime member of Myers Park United Methodist Church, a member of Charlotte Country Club for more than sixty years and also belonged to the Piedmont Club of Charlotte. Through church, civic activities, golf, and community service, he built friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Murrey is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Reed Brown Atkins; his sons, William Henry Atkins and wife Gale, and Charles David Atkins and wife Janel. He was a proud and loving grandfather to William Henry Atkins, Jr. and wife Carley; Kaylyn Carter Tinsley and husband Jason; Howard Carter Seawell IV and wife Rebecca; Emily Murrey Atkins Lonsberry and husband Tylor; Katharine Lynne Atkins; and Elizabeth Ann Atkins. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren William Henry Atkins III, Anne English Tinsley, Hyett Francis Seawell, and Cecilia Elizabeth Seawell. He is also survived by his sister, Katharine Atkins Thomas and husband John, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Sellers Atkins; his son, James Murrey Atkins III; his parents, James Murrey Atkins, and Judith Atkins; and his sister, Judith Atkins Wall and her husband Craig.

A service celebrating Murrey's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 8, 2026 at Myers Park United Methodist Church with Dr. James Howell officiating.  The family will receive friends in Jubilee Hall at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the J. Murrey Atkins Scholarship Fund at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Foundation, The Good Fellows Club, or to Myers Park United Methodist Church.

The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Chuck Edwards and his team at Memory & Movement Charlotte, as well as the caring staff of the Stewart Health Center at Cypress of Charlotte, for their compassion, kindness, and exceptional care.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.