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.