Lillie B. Morse

Lillie Roberta Boykin Morse was born November 29, 1913, to John Edwin Boykin, Sr. and Mary Belle Daniels Boykin in Mississippi. Her mother passed away, and in 1921, her father married Debbie “Pom” Kelly Boykin, who raised Lillie and her brothers as her own. Lillie graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in l936 with Bachelors of Science in Homemaking and Dietitian Foods. She later earned her Masters in Counseling at University of Maryland. After graduation, Lillie began her teaching career. Lillie married Charles “Chuck” Floyd Morris, December 22, 1940 in Alice, Texas. Both Lillie and Chuck had their pilot license, and enjoyed flying their small plane. She was always fearless. Lillie loved adventure and travel, and she inspired others to do the same. She moved to Okinawa, Japan, to teach “her army brats” as she called her students lovingly. From Okinawa, she traveled to Guam, then the Philippines, and a several islands, Johnston, and Iwo Jima. Lillie further traveled to many places including Bangkok, India, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, Belgium, Australia and Hawaii.

Lillie also loved teaching about nutrition. She was the healthiest person you ever knew. Later, she taught at the Indian-American School near Reno, Nevada. After one year, she was transferred to the Sherman Institute in Riverside, California. She also taught for Civil Service on department of Army, Navy, Defense and Bureau of Indian Affairs. During this time Lillie raised Cindy Charlie, a student from the Sherman Institute as her own, and Lillie considered Cindy her daughter. Lillie returned to reside in Falfurrias, Texas, in 1975. In l978, Lillie married Loyd Justus Morse.

They had 20 wonderful years together, traveling, fishing, gardening, and participating in many ways at the Falfurrias First United Methodist Church. This church was very important to both her and Loyd. During their retirement, they had several leadership roles at the church. She served as a Texas Silver Hair Legislature for several terms. Lillie was always teaching others. She encouraged people to leave their hometown and chase their dreams and travel. She also taught that there was a time to move home and put family first. Lillie was an inspiration to all. Lillie died September 26, 2015, in Corpus Christi, Texas at the exceptional age of 101. Lillie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Loyd Morse and her brothers, Robert Hilton Boykin and John Edwin Boykin.

She is survived by nephews Larry Boykin, James Boykin, Jerry Boykin and nieces Nora Mendyk, Kay Merrill, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers include Larry Boykin, Angie Boykin Leggett, James M. Boykin, Rebecca Boykin Griffey, Jerry Boykin and Carlton Moss. Honorary Pallbearers are Barbara Boykin Epperson and Stephanie Boykin Roberts.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Falfurrias.

Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Falfurrias with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Falfurrias Burial Park.