Billie Aileen Morris

(April 12, 1927 – January 5, 2019)

Every life tells a story. No matter when you were born or how long you lived. Your life tells a story. Billie was born in a time of great optimism that quickly turned into one of fear and desperation for many in the 1930’s. She witnessed a great coming together of the nation for World War II where her future husband served in Northern Europe. It was during this time that figures on the world stage loomed large and affected the lives of millions.

The 50’s saw great economic expansion and Billie met and married the one person who loomed large over the rest of her life. He was Bascomb “Pete” Morris. So, called “Pete” because he started out being called Jack by his family but then they got a dog already named Jack. So, rather than confuse the dog and change his name, they started calling Bascomb “Pete”. They had two children Janet and Scott and settled in Arlington.

The 1960’s was a time of political and social upheaval and even in the suburbs Billie was a witness to all of this. She, then began to loom large over her family and craft and mold her children who would never really appreciate why Mothers were the way they were.

Billie’s story continued through the 70’s and 80’s and then the 90’s that ended with the premature death of her daughter Janet from breast cancer in 1997. But Billie still loomed large over the family with the presence and growth of Janet’s children into honorable adults. But, still, life can still be cruel as her husband of 65 years passed away in 2016 and one of the granddaughters, Jennifer Lemin, developed breast cancer and passed away in 2017. Deeply affected by this she still held sway on the rest of the family even as she aged. She enriched our lives even if the attempt was soft and giving or harsh. But, then, she was only human.

Billie Morris died Saturday morning, January 5, 2019 in Arlington. She suffered a stroke and was not aware of her surroundings. But with each passing and ever shallow breath, if you listened, you could hear the names of the people that meant so much to her. Even in death she looms large over the family. Enriching us even as we mourn her loss.

Just listing the facts of her life does not tell her story to any real extent. Born in Quanah, Texas to Homer and Lela Mae Rice. She lived in Bonham, Tx until she graduated from Bonham High School and went into the work force. She was part of a family of 8. Three boys and three girls. The three boys have since passed but the two sisters of Billie are still telling their story. Billie was a long-time member of Fielder Church and was a faithful Christian until the end.

Date and place of marriage: March 3, 1951 in Fort Worth Tx to Bascomb C. Morris

Member of Fielder Church for many years.

Predeceased: Janet Elaine Brown (daughter), Bascomb “Pete” Morris (husband), Jennifer Lemin (granddaughter)

Survivors: Son Scott Morris and his wife Cathy of Arlington, TX

Sister Melba Jean Brockette of Arlington, TX

Sister Mavis McKinney of Pottsboro, Tx

Granddaughter Leslie LaChance and husband Jody of Marietta Georgia

Granddaughter Stephanie Gibbs and husband Kieron of Fort Worth

Great Grandchild Charlotte Gibbs of Fort Worth

Great Grandchild Ethan LaChance of Marietta Georgia

Great Grandchild Emma LaChance of Marietta Georgia

Numerous nieces and nephews.

The service will be on January 11, 2019 at 2 PM. It will take place at the Moore Funeral home at 1219 N. Davis Dr. Arlington, TX 76012. Weather permitting, there will be a brief graveside service. There will not be a visitation the day before. But there will be a light lunch served beginning at 12 noon on Friday along with a visitation then.

Please, in lieu of flowers, make a donation to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Hospital. The money would be better served at these two places.