* Anna Garay; Lifetime Resident, County Employee

Ventura native Anna Gayle Flores Garay, who worked for the county for 15 years, died last Thursday following a long illness. She was 45.

Garay was born Dec. 6, 1952. She began her government career in the county’s child protective services office. She worked in a variety of positions, most recently as a clerk in the office of Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury.

“She really enjoyed going to work,” said Garay’s niece, Tuti Uribe. “She had a good rapport with her co-workers, and she always said everyone there was very friendly and made her laugh.”

Garay had many hobbies, including fishing and camping, but her family said her love of playing the accordion was what she treasured most. She first played it while trying out for a grade school talent show, Uribe said.

Garay later performed on the accordion regularly at the Church of God of Prophecy.

Garay was married twice and had two sons by her first husband, Audie Murphy Sr., Uribe said.

“Her kids were the most important thing to her,” Uribe said.

She is survived by sons Audie Lee Murphy Jr. and Robert Anthony Murphy, both of Ventura; her parents, Jose R. and Lucy Flores of Saticoy; brothers Raymond Lucero of Oxnard, Vincent Lucero of Ventura and Cruz Lucero, Johnny Lucero and Bruce Flores, all of Saticoy; sisters Sally Solorzano of Ventura, and Julia Quintanilla and Bertha Padilla, both of Corcoran, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial is planned for 7 p.m. Friday in the main chapel of Camino del Sol Memorial Center & Funeral Home, 200 North C St., Oxnard, with the Rev. Darrell Green officiating.