Luna Nell Morton Googe

Luna Nell Morton Googe passed away quietly at home surrounded by her family on February 19, 2011, at the age of 90.

Luna Nell was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1920, at Morton’s Store near Booneville, MS. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Cullen Morton and Luna Lee Morton; a brother, Charles Lee Morton, and an infant sister Mary Christelle Morton.

Luna Nell began performing at the age of four. As a young girl, she appeared on many musical programs singing, tap dancing, playing piano and accordion, and giving readings. She was crowned “Little Miss Booneville” when she was ten years old. Her father died when she was 14. During the Depression, she taught music, and worked at a dress shop for $1.00 a day. Luna Nell was salutatorian of the 1938 graduating class at Booneville High School. She attended Blue Mountain College and M.S.C.W. in Columbus, majoring in music.

In 1939, she married the love of her life, George Walker Googe of Rienzi, MS. He worked as telegraph operator and agent on the M&O, C&G and GM&O railroads, and taught Nell railroading. She worked as non-telegraph agent when they lived at Guntown, MS. When Walker became a train dispatcher with the GM&O in 1944, the couple moved to Jackson, TN, where they raised their children, Janeen and George Morton. Walker served as night chief dispatcher at Union Station for 10 years. He served as Asst. Superintendent in charge of motive power until his retirement from the ICG Railroad in 1975. Walker and Nell shared a romantic marriage of 46 years, which sadly ended in his death in 1985.

When Janeen was 8 years old, Nell and Janeen rode the “Doodle-Bug train to Booneville, MS each week to appear on a weekly radio program with Nell’s mother, Luna Morton. Known as the “Family Trio,” they were the first live talent on WBIP.

In addition to being a full-time wife and mother, Nell was active in many civic and music organizations in Jackson. She served as President of the McDowell Music Club, and counselor for the Juvenile and Junior music clubs, President of the Jackson High School P.T.A., and Poetry and Music Chairman for the Jackson Womans’ Club. She was also a member of the Jackson Organ Club and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Four generations of Nell’s family have joined her in presenting musical programs for these and other organizations throughout the years.

A multi-talented musician and singer, Nell taught music for many years, and gave her children their first music lessons. She performed along with her daughter Janeen and son George Morton in the percussion section of the Jackson Symphony and the Corinth Symphony. Nell played the accordion the first time it was used in the Jackson orchestra. She served on the board of the Community Concert Association and the Jackson Symphony Association, and was top ticket salesperson for many years in both organizations. Nell has been a vital member of the Jackson Symphony League for many years, served as historian, and was named a lifetime honorary board member of the League. On December 4, 2010, Nell was honored by the Jackson Symphony. The Christmas Pops concert was dedicated to her, and she was featured in the program with an article entitled “A Googe Legacy.”

Nell was the head of the Googe family musical group “The Three Generations,” composed of Nell, Janeen, George, Wendy, Charles, and Morton.

A member of the Jackson-Madison Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution for the past 20 years, Nell served as American Heritage chairman and won state and national awards for her musical contributions to DAR. She recently received the local, state, and national DAR Community Service Awards.

Nell loved writing poetry, and through the years she composed poems to family members and friends. She wrote and sang musical jingles for her son’s campaign for Public Defender, to the city commission to defeat roll-out-garbage, and for a TV commercial for a local bank, in which she and Janeen appeared.

Nell’s infectious smile, bubbly personality, and sweet loving spirit have endeared her to many. Some of the most exciting times for Nell have been getting to meet some of her favorite celebrities, such as Nancy Reagan, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, and many more; and getting to sing and dance “Achy-Breaky Heart” with Billy Ray Cyrus. She had a quick wit and keen sense of humor.

Being included in the book “Downtown Wanderings, Memories and More,” by d.n.english was a very special highlight and honor in her life. d.n. stated “this lady lives life with a song in her heart.” Nell was included in the book “The Peabody, a history of the South’s Grand Hotel.”

A devout Christian, Nell taught singing in children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes for many years. She was a member of Skyline Church of Christ.

Her love for God and devotion to her family have always been utmost in her life. Her family circle includes her daughter Janeen Googe Smith and husband Ward; Nell’s son George Morton Googe and his wife Becky; four grandchildren: Janell Charmaine Smith of Corinth, MS, Morton Ward Smith of Jackson, MS, Wendy Lee Googe Williams and her husband Blake, and Charles Walker Googe, all of Jackson; a niece, Anita Morton Cunningham of Nashville, TN; nephews John Morton of Greenville, MS, Frank Morton of Arkansas; and special cousins Joe and Bettye Googe Buckley of Long Beach, MS, and Juanita Lee Bailey of Booneville, MS.

Pallbearers to serve are; William E. Alvis, Bob Bond, Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, Mayor Jerry Gist, Mayor Jimmy Harris, Danny Jackson, Dr. John Kendall, Dr. Mike Short, Hunter Simmons, Dr. Bob Smith, Lawrence Taylor, Dr. Danny Walker, Dr. James B. Witherington III.

Services For Mrs Googe will be held on Friday, February 25th , 2011, at the Skyline Church of Christ at 11:00 a.m

A Visitation with the Family will be on Friday, February 25, 2011, from 10:00 am until the time of the Service at 11:00am at the Church . A Commital Service will be held on Friday, at 3:00 pm at Henry Cemetery in Corinth, MS.