Akilawoo Murrell-Bye (aka: Dale Lemuel Murrell) was the first born son of Lemuel Mitchell and Johnie Mae Murrell. He was born October 1, 1954 at Riverside Hospital in Paducah, KY. He went to elementary schools in Germany, Paducah, Colorado, and Louisville. He attended junior high in Paducah and began high school at Louisville Male where he played football and ran track. Because Male High School competed against his former friends from Paducah Tilman, he decided to transfer back to Paducah where he received his high school diploma in 1973.
At an early age, Akilawoo (aka: Dale) was baptized at the Church of the Living God (CWFF) Temple #65 in Paducah, KY by Pastor Richard C. Watts. After much soul searching and studying, in 2017 he joined Magazine Street 7th Day Adventist Church under the leadership of Pastor Greg Thorton where he remained a faithful member until his health began to fail. In addition, Akilawoo Lemuel Murrell-Bye along with his cousin, Durand Murrell-Bey (aka: Rasheed Moorse EL), are members of the Al Aniyunwiya National Moorish Republic, MSTA Grand Major Temple II in which Akilawoo held the title of Divine Minister 31/National Republic.
In August 1971, the family moved to Louisville. It was 1974 that he begain to study and fall in love with martial arts under Grandmasters Chuck Cowan and Henry Cook. Because of his devotion and dedication of marital arts, he became a 5th degree black belt in Karate, Sifu/Master in Wing Chung. He studied and taught martial arts to many young and old alike in the City of Louisville.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Lemuel and Johnie Mae Murrell; grandparents, Lydia Mae Clarke and John Bailey, Rosey and Harold Murrell and grandson Latravion Briggs. He leaves to mourn 4 sons: Montrel L. Murrell of CA; Dalton Morrow, Nawatha D. Murrell, both of Bowling Green, KY; and Kedar Murrell of New Albany, IN; 6 daughters: Shana Offutt (Terrell) of Houston, TX; Sherita Offutt and Jamissa Ford, both of Louisville, KY; Shandaela Murrell, Zamauri Murrell, and Zanyiah Murrell, all of New Albany, IN; 10 grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; 1 brother, Eli N. Murrell (Martha) of Radcliff, KY; 2 sisters Henny Burger of Monfield, Baden-Wurttenburg Germany and Nausha Jones of Louisville; 6 nephews, 1 niece (Chanasha Jones) and a host of great nieces, cousins, adopted children/grandchildren and friends.
Private services due to the COVID restrictions.
To leave a special message for the family, please click the Share Memories button.