Byron Christopher "Chris" Murrell was born to the late Frank William and Bernice Driver Murrell on December 18, 1956. He went home to glory on Sunday, June 18, 2017. A lifelong resident of Winston-Salem, Chris graduated from Bishop McGuiness High School and studied music and theater at Wake Forest University. He was a faithful member of Saints Home United Methodist Church, where he found his passion for singing in the choir at the age of ten. In his early years, Chris performed with the Christian Disciples (1974-1980) and the Twin-City Choristers (1982-1991), an African-American all-male chorus. Chris became a world renowned vocalist, entertainer and musical director with a repertoire that includes the Count Basie Orchestra (1991-2004) and the David King production of "I Can't Stop Loving You: The Music of Ray Charles," (2004-2007). His first CD with Count Basie Orchestra, "Live at Manchester Craftsman's Guild", won the Grammy for Best Big Band album of the year in 1997. He also released two critically acclaimed studio albums, "Reprise" and "Full Circle" with Robert "Baabe" Irving. Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bernice Murrell, sister Beverly Murrell Whitehead and nephew Richard Payne. He is survived by siblings Barbara (Richard) Payne of Bay City, MI, Beulah Newby of Odenton, MD and Benjamin Murrell of Winston-Salem; brother-in-law Lenzola (Beverly Ann) Whitehead, Jr. of Savannah, GA; nieces Michele Payne, Kimberly (Benjamin) Wells, Amy (Wayne) Collier, Lisa Murrell, Patrice (Ronbardo) Whitehead-Gay, Monica Whitehead and Kenyetta Driver; cousins Preston Drake, Wayne Drake, Bernard (Dale) Driver, Brenda Sullivan, Joseph Jordan, Jr., Synthia (Leroy) Scipio, Darryl Swygert and Adrian (Sharon) Swygert; and a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and close friends. Family, faith and music were the keys to his life. To honor his legacy, and in response to the outpouring of support from friends at home and abroad, this fund (https://www.youcaring.com/ChrisMurrellMusicLegacy) has been created to support final expenses and to establish a musical scholarship in his name. We, the family, express our sincere gratitude for all of the love and support received. Thank you! For a copy of the funeral program, click here