Clarence Steven Murrell

Clarence Steven Murrell, obtained from KOCO News.

Clarence Steven Murrell was born on September 1, 1955, to Curtycine Thomas and Willie Murrell. He grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Millwood High School. In life, he was a true jack-of-all-trades, working and excelling in many fields—as a truck driver, a car mechanic, and a long-time cook with Leo’s BBQ. Clarence had a great appreciation for cars—both driving and repairing them. Later in life, his fondness for cars expanded to include motorcycles; he was, as his family remembers in his obituary, quite the “thrill seeker.” 

On August 4, 2020, the world lost Clarence Steven Murrell. He passed away at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Oklahoma City, only 64 years of age. According to his son, Steven Murrell, Clarence had a history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and other respiratory issues. He was taken to the hospital on July 23, when he began displaying low oxygen levels. Yet, according to Steven, the family was not contacted about Clarence’s transfer; Steven told KOCO News that “they never notified us and when they did, [Clarence] was in a coma on a respirator.” 

Steven and his family are rightfully demanding answers and clarity. Steven knows that his father’s death could—and should—have been prevented. When he passed away, Clarence, who couldn’t make bail, was awaiting a hearing. Oklahoma’s sheer lack of responsibility and humanity sentenced Clarence—a man innocent in the eyes of the law, with no hearing, conviction, or sentence—to death. No one should be sentenced to death for being unable to pay bail. 

Though preceded in death by his mother, his father, his brother Johnell Tanksley, his sister Wilma Murrell, and his brother Darryl Oliver, Clarence is survived by a host of loving family members and friends. We stand with them—his sons Steven Murrell and James Byrd, daughters Chrishawna McNeely and Sharee Johnson, sisters Parthenia Thomas, Jacqueline Murrell, Sheila Oliver, and Cherry Ann Davis, and countless other adoring grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as his doting dog, “Candy Girl”—in mourning the loss of a wonderful soul and in demanding justice. 

This memorial was written by MOL team member Frances Keohane with information from reporting by Patrina Adger of KOCO News, from KOCO Staff of KOCO News, and from a Document from Clarence Murrell’s Funeral.