Boaz’s Kyuka Baptist honors pianist McMurtrey for 50 years of faithful service

Boaz’s Kyuka Baptist honors pianist McMurtrey for 50 years of faithful service

The choir director at Kyuka Baptist Church, Boaz, has often told Charlotte McMurtrey that her piano playing makes him want to sing.

“But it’s not about me — it’s just where the Lord has placed me,” McMurtrey said. “It’s about the singer and the one we’re singing about.”
The Kyuka congregation honored McMurtrey on Sept. 24 for 50 years as the church’s pianist.

“Charlotte has readily shared her artistic talents and selflessly ministered to others when needed,” the church bulletin read that day.

“Kyuka Church has been blessed by Charlotte McMurtrey, not only by her God-given talent of piano playing but also by her faithfulness to the church, the delicious meals she freely shares, the time she spends ministering to others and her willingness to help in any way needed. She is always there for us, counting it a joy to serve the Lord.”

McMurtrey began playing in church at age 14 at Carnes Chapel, Gadsden, then moved over to Kyuka after meeting her husband, Herman, at a fourth Sunday night singing at a church in the Duck Springs community.

Serving at Kyuka has “been a great blessing,” said McMurtrey, who also has taught Sunday School. “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to play for them all these years.”

The celebration was a “total surprise,” she said. When she walked into church that morning, the youth group had left a rose on the piano bench with a note expressing their appreciation. Then she noticed some family members and friends who don’t go to Kyuka beginning to slip into the congregation. “I knew something was up then,” she said with a laugh. (Grace Thornton)