Zuella "Babes" Murray

Zuella Fae "Babes" Murray, age 63, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, passed away on January 26, 2025, at the Uintah Basin Medical Center after a short illness. 

 She was born March 27, 1961, in Roosevelt, Utah, to James and Marilyn Myore Murray. She was raised by her grandpa Dick and grandma Katy McKewan during her early years when her mom was attending school. As a child, she learned to help run peyote meetings with her grandpa Dick, and he gave her the name of Pah Nah Weecheech (Silver Bird) because she would often fly on the airplane to visit her mother at school. 

 In her younger years, Babes briefly moved to Evanston, Wyoming, and when she returned, she was very active in sports, playing softball, basketball, and volleyball. She enjoyed going to the mountains and berry picking in the fall. Babes was a huge country music fan and never missed a chance to see George Strait in concert. In the summer, she enjoyed traveling and attending horse and Indian relay races. She loved to dance, and when she kept the bar at Hilltop, she would close the bar and often entertain her own private parties. Babes was always very well put together, usually matching her outfits to her jewelry. 

 Babes was a parent, a volunteer, a Bus Monitor, a Cook, a Teacher, and a Supervisor/Coordinator at the Ute Tribe Headstart. She earned her Childhood Development Certificate. She also worked as a Secretary at the Ute Tribe Adult Probation and Parole. She loved her workplace and especially her co-workers. 

 Her favorite therapy was shopping, especially for her grandkids, and pampering herself. She enjoyed taking trips, watching her grandchildren play sports, and cooking. She was very traditional and participated in pow-wows, and sundances and was always willing to help her dad run the family sweats. Her family meant the world to her, and she loved having them with her. She was independent, strong-willed, spoke her mind, and was there when you needed advice or someone to talk to. Babes had a way of reprimanding you if you did bad but never held a grudge. If she believed in you, she would be your biggest supporter. 

 Babes is survived by her children, Kristella Pike, Roosevelt, Utah; Sunshine (Terry) Conetah, Vernal, Utah; Desiree Gardner, Salt Lake City, Utah; James Thomas Azbill (Arlene Kanip), Fort Duchesne, Utah; Christina "DeeDee" (Ben) Lloyd, Watertown, New York; 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; her father James Murray; siblings, Virginia Sam; Kevin Myore, Cleveland (Brandi) Murray, Kea Murray (Kristopher Manning); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. 

 She was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn; daughter, Joy Whitmer; nephews, Jackie Murray and Justin Myore; grandparents, Betty Appawora, William B. Myore, Dick and Katy McKewan, Julius Orrin Murray, and Mary Mae LaRose and other family members. 

 Immediately following the funeral, burial will be in the Randlett Cemetery, with Benjamin Murray dedicating the grave, followed by the Red Spirit Singers. Once Babes is buried, the family invites you back to the community building to share a meal. 

 Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ft. Duchesne Community Building. There will be a wake after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the community building.

 Burial will be in the Randlett Cemetery.