Rev. Murrell L. Ewing

Murrell LaVonne Ewing departed this life from his residence in Beauregard Parish Friday morning, December 31st. He was 69 years of age. A resident of Lake Charles since 1950, Murrell Ewing has served as the Pastor of Eastwood Pentecostal Church since 1966.

Pastor Ewing is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Ed and Marie Ewing. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan Clark Ewing; a son, Landy Ewing (wife, Lauren) of Kansas City, Missouri and a daughter, Vonnie Ewing Lopez (husband, Aaron) of Lake Charles. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Matthew Ewing (and wife, Natalie); Taylor Ewing Trahan (and husband, Jimmy); Aaron James "AJ" and Lindsey Lopez all of Lake Charles. The Ewing family is anxiously awaiting the birth of the first great-grandchild this month. A host of family and friends, along with the Eastwood church family, will also cherish his memory.

Pastor Ewing, in addition to being an outstanding minister and speaker, was equally well-known for his singing. An outstanding soloist, he was also a founding member of the Conquerors Quartet - a group that traveled and sang southern quartet gospel across the south. For decades, many of his sermons were transformed to music and lyrics by his wife, Joan, and shared in services and concert venues across America and around the world. His performance of "He Saw Me" on a Bill Gaither Homecoming project continues to be one of the most popular Murrell Ewing clips viewed on YouTube. Joan and Murrell Ewing were awarded the Pentecostal Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their immeasurable contribution to Pentecostal music.

Born in Catahoula Parish, in a community known as Boggy Bayou, Murrell Ewing entered the world on January 9, 1941. At the tender age of nine, when his parents relocated to the Lake Charles/Moss Bluff area where they assumed the pastorate of what was then known as English Bayou Pentecostal Church, Murrell Ewing became a Lake Charles resident - and for him, though he traveled the world - there was never any place quite like home.

Murrell met the love of his life, and he and Joan Clark Ewing were married in Kinder, Louisiana on November 24, 1959. They served as choir directors in camps and held choir clinics in churches around Louisiana and across America, while he continued to become a much-sought after speaker as well. After a time as Assistant Pastor in Alexandria, Louisiana, serving with Pastor G.A. Mangun, - Murrell and Joan relocated to Lake Charles in 1966 to assist his parents in pastoring Eastwood Pentecostal Church and became Senior Pastor in 1981, where they remain in service to that congregation and this community.

Through the years of his leadership as Pastor, the congregation has grown and flourished. In April of 1984, they relocated from their existing building on Opelousas Street to the 9.5 acre complex at the intersection Highway 171 and Interstate 10. Offering Sunday School classes, and bus transportation to the less fortunate, consistent Christian teaching and leadership have been the hallmark of Eastwood through the years. The Ewing's commitment to Lake Charles has been lived out in the lives they have touched through ministry and song. Murrell Ewing's pastor's heart was not limited to the members of his congregation, but extended to the entire Lake Charles community as reflected in his words on their church's website: "If it's winter, come in out of the cold. If the summer of life has parched your soul, you'll find a cool oasis here. The worship, the doctrine, the power to change lives. It's all still here. We've been praying that you would come."

In addition to his local church involvement and his personal ministry in preaching and singing worldwide, Murrell Ewing was highly involved in the work of the Louisiana District of the United Pentecostal Church as well as in national capacities. He served as Louisiana District Youth President, was a member of the Louisiana District Board, and for many years served as the Youth Camp Principal at the District's youth camps in Tioga. On a national level, he served on the music committee and participated in the development of the Sing Unto The Lord hymnal. He and Joan served for many years as consultants and participants in national programming for both home and foreign missions.

The impact this man's influence has had on both young people and adults through the brief years of his life is truly immeasurable. Murrell Ewing will be missed not only at Eastwood, but also in the city of Lake Charles. Anyone who was privileged to know him will remember some kind word or deed, and will mourn his passing.

The body will lie in state at Eastwood. The family will receive from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 4th. Friends may continue to call at the church from 2:00 pm until the celebration service which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. A brief service will be held Wednesday morning at 11:00 am at Eastwood, then proceed to Richie Cemetery for interment.

Arrangements are being handled by Johnson Funeral Home where condolences messages can be left at JohnsonFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Murrell Ewing Memorial Missions Fund - PO Box 16778 - Lake Charles, LA 70616. Celebration Service may be viewed live at www.eastwoodcares.com.