3002 Goodwin Street, Beaufort , SC

A rendering of what the Murrays new home will look like.

MEET THE MURRAYS

Edward and Aurelia Murray of Beaufort have been working toward a home of their own for 19 years.

Ground was broken last month at the site of their new Habitat for Humanity home on Goodwin Street in Beaufort. Walls are up and roof trusses are going in. This is an exciting time for this family of five!

“We wanted to become homeowners so that our children could have a safe place to live and a place we could afford,” said Aurelia. The couple has three children, Serenity, aged 19, Noah, 18, and Faith 13.

Edward, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, works for Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center in Beaufort as head custodian. Aurelia, from Estill, South Carolina, is a former security officer on Hilton Head Island. She is disabled due to health issues. They entered the Habitat homebuying process prior to the COVID Pandemic and have patiently completed nearly all their homebuyer requirements as the building process catches up to them. They are working hard to complete the last of these prerequisites - the sweat equity each homebuyer is required to do on their own home.

Aurelia said they learned about Habitat in a round about way: “While shopping at Walmart one afternoon we saw a poster about Habitat for Humanity having a meeting and we decided we should attend.” That was several years ago, but their patience has paid off.

“The home buying process has been a learning experience,” said Aurelia. “I’m glad we are finally at the finish line.”

Habitat staff and volunteers hope to finish the Murray home by the end of the year, so hopefully this will be a Merry Christmas for the Murrays and if not (there are always unforeseen variables when building a house), at least a Happy New Year!

This home was funded by the Brays Island Community.

The Murray Family: Serenity, Aurelia, Faith, Edward, and Noah