Gaye Morrison's Obituary
Gwendolyn Gaye Morrison was born in Olney, Texas, September 8, 1935 to parents, H.O. “Babe” and Carrie Mae Green. She passed away January 3, 2017, in Garland, Texas. She was 81 year of age. Gaye was preceded in death by her father and mother, Henry Otis and Carrie Mae Green, her brother, George Ronnie Green and her son-in-law Joe Torres. Gaye is survived by her husband Bill Morrison and her sons Kelly, Cory and Matthew Morrison, daughter-in-law Joanie Morrison, grandson Blake Morrison, and her nieces and nephews, Vicki and Leah Green, Jeb Evans, and Zane and Katelyn Hall. Gaye graduated from Garland High School in 1954 and continued to be active in the alumni association up through the present, helping to plan class reunions. One of her fondest memories happened shortly after high school, when she had the opportunity to meet Elvis Presley at Love Field and see him in concert later that night. Gaye met her husband Bill in April of 1958 in Garland at a bridge party. They were married August 23, 1958 at First United Methodist Church in Garland. She and Bill moved to Tulsa, where her son Kelly was born, then returned to Garland in 1959. They purchased their current home in 1963 and have resided there ever since. Gaye and Bill joined Axe Memorial United Methodist Church in 1960 and and she served in the United Methodist Women’s Society for over forty years. She has been a member of the Pacesetter’s Sunday School Class, for just about as many years, where she developed life long friendships. She and Bill lead the Methodist Youth Fellowship for several years, where she chaperoned numerous youth choir and MYF trips, and was instrumental in Bible School as well as hundreds of social events over the years. She also co-founded and orchestrated the Clown Ministry for several years. She loved anything to do with her Church and was always there to help. Most recently, she was a member of “Triple A”, Axe Awesome Adults and loved all the trips, lunches and other social events. In addition to her service to the church, Gaye loved hosting numerous birthday parties, backyard bbq’s as well as baby sitting many of the kids in her neighborhood. She was a lifelong member of the PTA and she participated in booster clubs, for all three of her sons. She was a founding member of her “Tuesday Night Bridge Club” for over forty-five years, where she made and kept lifelong friendships. She was to host bridge at her home on the day she passed. In the world of spina bifida, the name Gaye Morrison is very well known. She and Bill helped co-found and grow the Dallas chapter of the Spina Bifida Association, from a small parent support group into the national organization it is today. At that time, in 1973, families all around the United States were dealing with this serious birth defect with no helpful advice or true knowledge of the possibilities for a good life. Gaye was determined to change that, helping set up monthly meetings with speakers to provide accurate and helpful information to families. She was the first president of the Dallas chapter of the Spina Bifida Association of Dallas and served as treasurer for many years. She also served as president at the state, and was a national delegate for 38 years. Her determination, wisdom and organizational skills were a major factor in the U.S., State of Texas and Dallas communities knowing and understanding spina bifida. She made many trips to Austin and the US Congress and Senate, fighting for change in our public school, for equality for the physically and mentally challenged. She was instrumental in building and maintaining many of the programs still in existence, including Camp TLC and the scholarship program. She only missed one annual conference in forty years. She remained a board member until 2014, and retired after 40 years of service, but was always just a phone call away. She was inspired and driven by her love for her son, Matthew. It was her true calling in life. Beyond all this community service and devotion to the lives of others, Gaye loved her family. The love and devotion she had for her husband Bill, was unwavering. She was a champion of her three sons. She loved her Mother deeply and cared for her until she passed. She loved and cared for her nieces Vicki and Leah, especially after the passing of their father, her brother Ronnie. She adored and loved her grand-niece, Kate and grand-nephew, Zane. She adored, cherished and loved her grandson, Blake and was so very proud of him. She loved her brother and sisters-in-law and the numerous cousins as well as other extended family. She loved to travel and visited many parts of the United States, and even made it as far as England. Gaye was a true sports fan. She always rooted for “Her Boys”, the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks, and enjoyed watching every game with her sons Kelly and Matthew. Gaye was fun-loving and kind, a loving wife, caring mother and devoted friend. She was a compassionate, truly selfless person, who’s faith guided her, gave her strength, hope, courage and finally peace. She lived a life of faith, family and love and has absolutely earned her place next to her Lord and is now able to watch over of her family and friends, like never before. For this we are so very thankful. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at Axe Memorial United Methodist Church, 1700 W. Kingsley Road, Garland, TX, 75041. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following: https://www.gofundme.com/help-the-morrison-family or to the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas.
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