Hi, my name is Connie Long Moriarty. It is late 2023 and I just now found out about Ms. Morgan's passing through the Apex High School reunion group on Facebook. She was my art teacher from 1990-1993. She encouraged  me to attend Savannah College of Art & Design and almost single-handedly influenced the direction of my college years. She was a huge inspiration on my development as an artist and I know that her students all appreciated her deeply. She had a really unique & fun personality and was valued highly for her artistic & teaching talents. My heart goes out to the family.

I was curious today just what the heck Ms. Morgan my art teacher at East Wake High School was doing.  She not only inspired me to draw yet she helped me to look beyond art.  I have a quote from her I would like to share.  One day in art in 10th grade I made the mistake of saying hey that piece of art work is good.  She says "Chris, you don't know what looks good you can only say, I like it."  I was so mad, how insulting, but how correct she was.  From that day on I understood a different way of looking at everything.  Funny thing is that she gave me a C in art on my report card, but I give her an A for the positive impact she left on me.  Thank you Miss Morgan for the impression you left upon me.  I will see you when I get to heaven.

Loved and appreciated Ms. Judy--respected her so highly as a mentor, friend and fellow lover of the arts. Wish I'd stayed in touch.

Judy Morgan was a profound teacher for me on many levels. Like others have said, she taught me how to see. I just found this site and I'm devastated by the news. Ms Morgan was my art teacher, my confidant, my pen pal, my mentor, and my partner in chasing the sunset through the Appalachian mountains. I will always love her dearly and hold my memories of her close to my heart.

I miss Judy. I think of her often still. She was awesome.

Judy Morgan was my Art Teacher at Apex High School. I just recently found out through a friend that she had passed away. Even though it was not recent, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had always hoped that at some point I would be able to locate her and catch up with her. There have been so many times that I have thought about her, and how much she influenced me throughout my life. Whether it be my appreciation for viewing art, creating art, or living life to the fullest. She did all of the above with joy, passion, and compassion for others. She truely was a wonderful role model to me. Since I never got the chance to properly thank her; I hope she knows now. I have and will continue to miss you. To her family, I am so sorry for your loss.

Judy taught me how to see, to trust my eyes, to find the spirit and nature of what I was seeing, and to stick with that essence. Through art, she taught me how to find my center, a stillness inside that would carry me through if I would let it. She gave me insight into my personal process, that I did best when I took a short walk to clear my head and "take out the garbage" before I embarked on a creative endeavor. So she would have me take the attendance sheet to the office at the beginning of class! Now, as a psychologist in adulthood, I realize she was onto my anxiety, and knew I needed a little something extra to get centered. She truly saw me for who I was, and just as she did with her art, she lovingly and matter-of-factly reflected it back to me to help me make sense of myself. She was such a blessing and a gift to me through the difficult high school years. I was in art class with her at Apex High for four years, and her guidance, nurturance, humor, and calm, steady presence has stuck with me throughout the almost 20 years since I graduated. I hope she knew how much she meant to me. If not, I'm sure she knows now. Rest in peace, Judy, and thank you for everything. 
Thank you, her family, for sharing the wonderful photos of her life, and for allowing others to contribute to the guest book in this way. It makes for good closure. She was a beautiful soul. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Farewell to the woman that taught me to see the even wider experience of art and to continue to have fun doing it. She has always inspired me and will always continue to do so. Thank you Mrs. Morgan and my sincere appreciation for all you have done for those around you!

judy and her family changed my life 4 the better it is hard knowing she is no longer with her family but what a blessing 2 have such a sweet angel looking out 4 them -love u  Windy

Derek,  I just found this.  I have thought of  your mother often over the years.  Her laugh was contagious and her enthusiasm boundless.  My thoughts are with you.  E Mata

My dear dear friend Judy & I attended York High School. If it had not been for Judy, I would have NEVER passed Algebra or Geometry or Trig. I was not good at math and Judy was amazing in the math field! Judy was my tutor. We spent many hours after school at her home where she patiently explained the mysteries of mathmatics to me. It was not all work, I have to confess. We would laugh and have a lot of fun acting crazy. I will never forget those hours we spent together. Her sense of humor, her patience, her friendship & her character will always be fond memories of my true blue friend, Judy. By the way I passed! My sincere condolences for your loss. May God Richly bless each of you.
  Jeanie Beverly Lipps
  York High School, class of '61
  Fayetteville, NC

Oh, how sad I am to hear of Judys passing...She was my best friend for 2 years..I loved Judy and it just saddens me to no end..My sincere condolences to her family.

I have such fond memories of Judy's visit to Denver with Aunt Mud. I'll never forget the look on her face when Travitt said Mick Jagger was "old." She put him in his place with that look. She had a lot of spirit.

I'm speechless.   I don't have natural talent or ability towards art, IMO.  But, this woman taught me how to see so that I could make art.  

I'm such in shock... as I just learned of this (as in seconds ago).... I've been looking for Ms. Morgan online for so long... and now, oddly enough all this while listening to one song, Drops of Jupiter by Train... this is when I'm finally writing to her.

I just wish....  I just wish I could say.

but since I can't,
From me, my ferrets, my memories from Apex High...

Judy was there for me not just as an inspirational teacher but as a friend when I needed one the most. I hope she knew how much she meant to me.

Judy was also my art teacher in high school, and she inspired me to travel, move to NYC to be an artist, and even become an art teacher, too. Without her I wouldn't be who I am today. She meant a lot to me, and I'm glad I had the pleasure of knowing her. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Dear Family,
I have often thought of Ms. Morgan over the past 25 years. She was my Art teacher at East Wake High School. She was an inspiration for me to continue my love of Art and the simplicity of life. I'll never forget her sense of humor and colorful words. She wrote a message to me in one of my yearbooks that I'll always remember..."You can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh--!" I think she made lots of chicken salad! The pictures on the site are beautiful. Peace to you all. Laura Green Jordan (Wake Forest, NC)

Judy was my art teacher in high school and I have never forgotten her.  She actually waited to retire until a group of us that were with her in art all 4 years graduated, and then she retired.  She was such a wonderful person, artist, and an inspiration.  So sorry for your loss.

I didn't know Judy, but after reading her request to do something nice for someone you love in her memory, I wish I did.

My sincerest condolences to the entire family.  I always enjoyed Judy's company and was particularly fond of her contagious laugh. It was so much fun to see how much "Grandma White Hair" loved spending time with Eli and Silas. She became Grandma White Hair to all of us.  May you keep all of the happy memories close.

The greatest gift of an artist is the passion for life.  Next is the ability to see and extract the essence of life from the background noise of the world around them and to reveal it to those who can't or will not see it.  In these talents I've never met Judy's equal.  Through example, paint, words or simple hugs she conveyed a zest for living that I always found infectious and uplifting. Though I've not crossed paths with Judy or her sons in many years I'll always carry that energy with me.

Judy always saw the color in the world, always found the beauty. She was fun to be around and treated me like I was one of her own. We will miss her.

I am certain that a woman with such fine sons, must be an extraordinary person.  My sincerest condolences for your loss.  I wish you all Peace, Love and Joy in having had her in your life.

OBITUARY

Judy Oates Morgan

10 January, 1943 – 3 July, 2011

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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