Winnie Jo Morris

Born October 14, 1928 in Huntsville, Texas, Jo grew up in Huntsville and Corpus Christi, and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Geology. A lifelong fan of her beloved Texas Longhorns, Jo and her husband, the late Kenneth Page, “Kenny” Morris, made their home in Houston, where Jo played bridge every month with a group of Delta Gamma Sorority sisters for more than 50 years.

Jo had three children: James Malcolm Morris (Becky), Kenneth Page Morris Jr. (Melody), and Page Elizabeth Rawlings; 10 grandchildren: Corey Brooks Rawlings (Adrienne), Amber Morris Brock (David), Loren Rawlings Schubert (Darrick), Hilary Kendel Morris, James Malcolm Morris Jr. (Cora), Kerey Lane Morris, Colleen Morris McCutcheon (Ali), Rebecca Morris Robinson, (Brett), Jeremy Page Morris, and Gideon Edward Morris (Alexys); and 16 great-grandchildren: Bennett Page Rawlings, Joshua Brooks Rawlings, Sophia Grace Robinson, Lillian Page Brock, William David Brock, Noah Gray Robinson, Case Austin Rawlings, James Malcolm Morris III, Caroline Elise Brock, Oliver Grayson Robinson, Sloan Page Schubert, Everly Jane Morris, Theodore Graham Robinson, Sage Gene Schubert, Tucker Beck Morris, and Sawyer Jo Schubert.

In addition, Jo had a very large extended family on both the Morris side and the Gratehouse/Cotton side. She kept in touch with these relatives and many, many friends, hosting large parties and annual family reunions on the Morris farm in LaGrange for 60 years. No matter who came, Jo welcomed everyone, making them feel like family.

As a devoted wife and mother, Jo gave much of her life to raising three generations of children. She loved others well, saw the best in them, and was always optimistic. Jo was fashionable, creative, artistic, and industrious. She created beautiful spaces and brought her tasteful flair to every project. She delighted in a job well-done, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grands often heard words of praise like, “That’s just wonderful!” or “Perfect, perfect, perfect!”

A woman of deep faith in Jesus Christ, Jo contributed her time, talents, and treasure to the Lord’s work consistently. She led a women’s Bible study for more than four decades, and taught most every age of children in Sunday School at Memorial Drive Baptist Church in Houston for many years. She also led countless initiatives to advance the work of her church in the community, and supported missions to share her love for Christ with people around the world.

Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth Page Morris, and by her parents, James Guest Gratehouse and Winnie Ida Cotton Gratehouse.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 21, at 1 pm and the Celebration of Life Service at 2 pm. Both will be at Earthman Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX. There will be a private family graveside service in the morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Jo Morris can be made to Lifeway Global (lifewayglobal.org).

You can also honor Jo by believing the best about others, smiling brightly, and welcoming people around your table, as Jo loved to do!