86R31783 BPG-D
By: Hughes S.C.R. No. 62
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Residents of Texarkana lost an admired civic leader
with the passing of Martha Leah Williams Morriss on April 6, 2019,
at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Jeffie and Isaac Williams, the
former Martha Williams was born in Mount Pleasant on June 13, 1926,
and grew up with two brothers, Bill and Jim; her family moved to
Texarkana when she was 10, and after graduating from Texas High
School, she completed her bachelor's degree in mathematics at
Randolph-Macon Woman's College; on December 31, 1948, she married
Joshua Rutland Morriss Jr., and they were blessed with three sons,
Josh, Don, and William; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Morriss gave back to her fellow citizens
through her support for many worthwhile organizations; she served
as president of the Junior League of Texarkana, and she was
instrumental in the founding of the Texarkana Regional Arts and
Humanities Council; in addition, she generously shared her time and
talents with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, the Literary Council
of Bowie and Miller Counties, and numerous educational endeavors;
widely admired for her contributions to the cultural scene, she was
appointed to the Texas Commission on the Arts; together with her
husband, she also played a key role in the establishment of MRC
Cornerstone Retirement Community; and
WHEREAS, The Texarkana Independent School District
recognized Mr. and Mrs. Morriss for their exceptional efforts in
behalf of education by naming the Martha and Josh Morriss
Mathematics & Engineering Elementary School in their honor;
moreover, in 2015 the district named the couple Distinguished
Alumni and acknowledged Mrs. Morriss for her education advocacy and
her work to benefit the TRAHC ArtSmart program, which brings the
arts to schools; over the years, she was the recipient of myriad
other accolades, including the C. E. Palmer Award for community
service from the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, For more than a half century, Mrs. Morriss taught
the Fellowship Sunday school class at Williams Memorial United
Methodist Church, and every summer, she organized Bible Storytime
for Vacation Bible School; she served on the Perkins School of
Theology Executive Board, and she and Mr. Morriss delivered Holy
Communion to shut-ins together as well; and
WHEREAS, Martha Morriss lived a rich and purposeful life
centered on her family, her faith, and her community, and she will
long be remembered with deep affection by all who knew her; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Martha Leah Williams Morriss and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
husband, Josh Morriss Jr.; to her sons, Josh Morriss III and his
wife, Diana, Don Morriss and his wife, Patsy, and William Morriss
and his wife, Rita; to her grandchildren, Meredith and David
Farren, Susannah and Daniel Linnett, Marjorie and Chad Matthews,
Allison and Brady Wright, Whitney and Ross Ormond, Melanie and Ben
Tkach, and Brad and Goodwin McCutcheon; to her 15
great-grandchildren; to her special niece, Joan Baldridge-Ballard;
and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House and Senate
adjourn this day, they do so in memory of Martha Leah Williams
Morriss.