Who Is Murray Maye? Queen Sugar

If you just watched Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay’s drama series, Queen Sugar, then you’re probably wondering who Murray Maye is.  Murray Maye is DuVernay’s father who sadly passed away in March 2016.  He was a businessman from Hayneville, Alabama.  Hayneville is a very small town located between Montgomery and Selma.

DuVernay was born in Long Beach, CA and grew up in Compton.  When she was young she would visit Hayneville which influenced the creation of her 2014 film, Selma.  The Grio reports that Oprah Winfrey attended the funeral and spoke at the services.  Winfrey explained that Ava’s father was a proud yet humble man.  She also stated that it was her pleasure to speak his name at his “going home” celebration.

Who Is Murray Maye? Queen Sugar

Her father’s death was unexpected, she explained on Twitter.  When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.  The talented director posted the following memory of her and her father via Instagram:

My hero. My father. Murray Maye. The best man I’ve ever known. We took this picture a few years back while scouting for SELMA near his birthplace in Lowndes County, Alabama. It was a good day. We had many, many, many good days together. Blessings all. He journeyed onto the next realm this week. Out of the blue, he is no longer here. And yet, he remains. I’ll see him again when it’s my time. Until then, watch over me, Pops.

A photo posted by Ava DuVernay (@directher) on Mar 20, 2016 at 10:01am PDT

In the caption she explains that her father was born in Lowndes County, Alabama.  The image was taken while they were scouting for Selma.  The director understands that no one really dies as long as they took the time to leave us with fond memories.  May you rest in peace, as memories of you live on.