On March 11, 2018, at 102 years of age, Audrey J. Player, aka Mom, left our presence to be welcomed in Heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on November 5, 1915 in Great Falls, Montana as the second child of Henry Arthur Speed and Marguerite Ellen Richer.
Audrey, at a young age, was on the path to an adventurous and full life. When she was two years old, the family moved to Houston, Texas. Then at age ten, moved to Monterey, Mexico for a couple of years. Abruptly, all Americans were told to leave the country, as it was the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. When the family was on the train, the Poncho Villa revolutionary gang stopped the train by gunshots to rob the passengers and they took all of their trunks and belongings. Eventually, the family relocated to Houston, Texas. In 1934, Mom met the man of her dreams, Hadley Morris. They were married and two years later had one daughter and later two sons. In the early years of marriage Mom and Dad were members of a motorcycle club in Houston and on many weekends enjoyed joining the group to ride down to Galveston and dance to the Big Bands. Dad’s employment required him to be transferred frequently through the years to supervise the construction of operational production plants that he designed. This required moving to a number of states and Mom enjoyed meeting and entertaining new relationships along the way.
Our Mother’s life was cut short at the young age of 102 years. She honestly thought that she should live to at least 105 years of age. She continually said, “I am not old!” This was the mindset of a woman who enjoyed life, always greeted friends or whomever she just met with a smile and had the gift to make everyone feel very special. She was the ultimate homemaker and backbone of the family. Throughout her life the focus was to make sure that each family member lived up to expectations by being successful in their careers and never forgetting to be mindful of service to the community through prayer and actions. For many years Mother sold cosmetics both individually and in groups. She enjoyed showing women how to enhance their best features and she was the perfect role model. Mother always put her “best foot forward”. She enjoyed her leisurely time with the Red Hat Ladies of Leisure, and in earlier years served the community as a member of the New Braunfels Women’s Lions Club. She loved her close relationships at church and enjoyed the status of being the oldest member- the Matriarch. So many admired her lively spirit and humorous quick come-backs and was frequently asked what was her secret to a long life.
Mother was preceded in death by her mother and father; husband, Hadley Morris, and two subsequent husbands, Henry Herrmann and Charles Player; son, Bob Morris; three sisters, Aileen Kirkpatrick, Joy Hicks, and Betty Bell; granddaughter, Robin Mergler, and great-granddaughter, Caroline Hamann
Surviving family includes daughter, Gayle Morris; granddaughter, Christina Tureaud and husband Christopher, and their two sons, Benjamin and Mitchell; granddaughter, Leah Hamann and her children, Jennifer and Nathan; grandson-in-law, Ron Mergler, husband to the late Robin Mergler and their children, Patrick, Jacob and Ciara; grandson, Ray Redick and wife Deborah and their son Michael. She is also survived by her son, James H. Morris and his wife Beatrix; grandchildren, James, Eric and Danielle; daughter-in-law, Bonita Morris and grandchildren, Anthony, Richard, Dawn, and Holly. In addition, she treasured the close relationship with her niece Jacki Wille and husband John Wille and their two daughters, Pam and Darla. Mom had a total of four children, eleven grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and fifteen great-great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Christian Church, 3105 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Reception will immediately follow. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Texas.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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