Michael Murray - A. L. Beal Mortuary, St. Louis, MO
A.L. Beal Undertaking Co., Inc. was founded in 1913 by the late Albert Lee Beal. Upon his death in 1929, Albert Lee left his business to his daughter, Mrs. Birdie Beal Thompson Anderson. In 1965 Beal Mortuary relocated to 1150 North Kings Highway. A new northwest chapel at 4746 West Florissant Avenue featuring a newly-built chapel with seating capacity for over 250 people also opened.
Birdie Beal’s daughter, Vora Thompson Wilson, joined the firm in 1946. Vora had the distinction of being the first black female to be appointed to the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, serving from 1973-1978. After Vora Thompson Wilson’s passing in 1985, the business was owned and managed by Birdie and Vora’s son Charles S. Wilson, Jr. Upon his death in 1998, the firm was sold to Charles B. Henderson, Sr., a veteran in the funeral industry since 1992.
Today Michael D. Murray is leading A. L. Beal Mortuary. At the age of 17, based on a job search question in school, Michael started his job at A. L. Beal Mortuary. Michael is a 2001 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Management from Lindenwood University and is nationally board certified through the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia. Murray worked for several local funeral homes after the untimely death of Charles S. Wilson. Before making his way back home he made some great and memorable stops including Randle and Sons Funeral Home, Granberry Mortuary, encouragement from Rev. John Clark at Clark and Sons Funeral Chapels and 13 years as lead director at Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapels. Michael also served in the United States Army as a Mortuary Affairs Specialist and is a proud member of the Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity Incorporated. Thankful for all the helping hands along the way Mr. Murray wants to pay things forward by helping other young people find their way in funeral service.