He Called Me Daughter

My Tribute to Dr. Cecil Murray

By Veronica Mackey

My heart is tender and grateful to have known Reverend Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, the

beloved civil rights leader and former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME)

Church—the oldest Black church in Los Angeles.

Dr. Murray passed away in his View Park home on April 5. He was 94.

I don’t remember when or where we met. I first interviewed Dr. Murray for an article

based on the racial origin of Jesus. The article, titled, “Made in His Image,” contained

quotes from a wide variety of Biblical scholars and clergy, including Dr. Murray, the late

Carlton Pearson and O.C. Smith.

“It’s more likely Jesus was a man of color than an Anglo European. In Matthew 2:13-15,

God tells Joseph in a dream to take Baby Jesus to Egypt. It’s because Jesus’ black

skin would be less noticeable there among his own people.” He then fired off a few

more supporting scriptures in rapid succession. I typed frantically, trying to keep up.

Years passed, and our paths crossed again after Murray, then 73, was diagnosed with

prostate cancer. “I asked if he was afraid when he got the news. His reply: “Not at all. I

simply went into my faith mode.” Rather than dwell on his own prognosis, Murray used

his platform to discuss how the stress of racism and poverty can contribute to a

shortened life span for Black people; and the importance of healthy eating and regular

physical exams.

Four years later, it was close to Christmas, and as a struggling single mother of 2, I was

more than a little anxious. So, when I heard FAME was giving away toys and food, well,

I high-tailed it to the church ASAP. I never forgot the kindness and generosity of the

church volunteers, and Dr. Murray, who helped make our season brighter.

Somewhere around 2009, I knew it was time for a change in my personal life. It

occurred to me that no matter how I tried, I kept making the same dumb mistakes. I

then made it my mission to get better at using my intuition, so I could hear God more

clearly and make better decisions. It was an amazing time and I grew so much that I

wanted to put my newfound experiences into a book.

It was with great pride and humility that I self-published 30 Days in September: How to

Master Life’s Tests. But who could I get to write the

foreword? Dr. Murray came to mind immediately.

I must say that despite the few times I interviewed him, I felt intimidated asking him for

help. Then fate put us together again at a networking event. I approached him quietly,

and asked if he remembered me. “I did an article on you back in 2003,” I said. My

name is Veronica. Do you remember me?” He smiled broadly and said with great enthusiasm,

“Of course I remember you, Monica!”

Dr. Murray sang my praises in his foreword: “Veronica Mackey takes us to the highest

levels of understanding…The tales are fascinating and fixating, taking the ‘for instances’

of small things that could be irritating, showing how God already provided for us before

the incidents collided with us.”

The most meaningful words to me, however, came in a letter I received during our collaboration.

He had me at the first two words: “Dear Daughter.” Having never known my biological

father (He had neither the interest nor the will to form a relationship with me), the fact that

someone would claim me as his daughter—even in spirit—made me all tearful inside.

From there, we formed a bond. He called me daughter whenever I would visit him in his

office near USC. He always prayed for me, joked with me and hugged me goodbye..

He was a sharp dresser, always smelled good and made me feel welcome. Although

had had one biological child, his son Drew, Dr. Murray was a spiritual dad to many, and

for this I am so grateful.

So rest in peace and power, God’s good and faithful servant. And if you ever feel like

reaching out in the spirit, I will be much obliged.