Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mr. Hoyt E. Murrell, age 79, of Blairsville, who passed away early Wednesday morning, May 29, 2013, at his home.

Hoyt was born in Duluth, Georgia, on June 18, 1933, a son of the late Cleo Murrell and the late Ruby Chatham Murrell. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. In 1972, he and his wife Ruth moved to Blairsville and became members of Choestoe Baptist Church in Blairsville. Hoyt loved to work in his woodworking shop, and sold many of his creations at the Union County Farmer’s Market. His favorite pastimes were watching Old Western movies and reading western novels.

Hoyt will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and will be especially missed by his loving family members: wife, Ruth, who celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on February 24th, 2013; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Ernie Harkins, of Blairsville; daughter, Deborah Murrell, of Blairsville; son and daughter-in-law, Audie and Joy Murrell, of Gainesville, Georgia, and daughter DeWanda Murrell Loftis, of Blairsville; two sisters, Jewell Crider of Hiram, Georgia and Edna Patterson, of Dacula, Georgia; five grandchildren: Jennifer Jarrard, Jay McCarter, Jimmy McCarter, Karla Loftis Kidd, and Kasey Loftis; eight great grandchildren: Connor McCarter, Alaina McCarter, Lauren McCarter, Taylor McCarter, Jamie McCarter, Lydia Kidd, Abigail Kidd, and Brody Kidd. Many other relatives and many friends also survive.

Funeral services for Hoyt have been scheduled for Friday, May 31, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. North Georgia Honor Guard will present military honors. Burial will be in Choestoe Cemetery in Blairsville. The family will meet with friends on Thursday evening, May 30th, from 6 until 9 p.m.

Flowers are being graciously accepted; however, if you prefer to do so, memorial contributions may be made to Choestoe Baptist Church Building Fund, 41 Choestoe Church Road, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your condolences with the family and sign the guest registry on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.