Maurise Carlisle Morris

Maurise Carlisle Morris passed away in her assisted living apartment in Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday December 20, at the age of 102. She was born and raised in Cairo, Georgia and was preceded in death by her parents Judge Ira Carlisle and Mary Ella “Mamie” Drew Carlisle of Cairo,Georgia, her husband of 57 years Irvine Morris Jr, her brother Judge Ralph Carlisle, her brother Edwin Carlisle, her sister Oze Carlisle Mixon, and several beloved nieces and nephews. Maurise graduated from the University of Georgia in 1941 with a degree in education, and did her graduate work there as well. She began her teaching career immediately after college and continued that career for almost 40 years. She was teacher of the year in 1959 at Knollwood Elementary in Decatur, Georgia and was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa honorary society.

Maurise and Irvine met at a Christmas party, and they were married in 1952. Shortly after that, the Army sent him overseas to Heidelberg, Germany. They couldn’t stand the thought of being apart, so she got a job teaching in Heidelberg in order to be with him. They traveled all over Europe during their years in Germany. When they returned to the US, they settled in Atlanta, GA where Maurise continued her teaching career. She gave birth to their only daughter Mary Sue Morris (Olsen) in 1954. She and Irvine enjoyed traveling, and went to many wonderful places all over the world during their lifetime.

They had lots of friends and always enjoyed socializing. Both of them loved playing bridge and belonged to various bridge clubs. Maurise also enjoyed gardening while she was still physically able and was a member of several garden clubs, serving as the president of Belvedere garden club. She was also a very talented painter, a lover of UGA football, a lover of cats (of which she had many during her lifetime), loved to dance with her husband, and was a stickler for table manners and etiquette (which she tried hard to impart to us all). After they retired, they moved from Atlanta to Winter Park, and then to Jacksonville so they could be close to their daughter and grandchildren. Family was always a priority for Maurise.

We were blessed to spend most holidays together as a family, and almost every birthday as well, including her 101st birthday. Her 102nd birthday was celebrated at her assisted living residence, where she, characteristically, directed the activities and made sure we cut the cake properly so there would be enough for everybody.

She is survived by her daughter Mary Sue Morris Olsen and son-in-law Jeff Olsen; her granddaughter Kristina Olsen Craig and husband Brandon Craig of Sebring, Florida; great-grandchildren Caleb and Brantley Craig of Sebring; grandson Matt Olsen and his wife Brooke Barnhardt Olsen. In addition, she is survived by two stepdaughters Dorothy Morris Trammell and Jennifer Morris Pendergras, and their children Elizabeth and Emily, and Amanda and John (respectively) and their children (her great- grandchildren).

Ultimately, family was the most important thing to her and she delighted in visits with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed sharing the joy of their lives and accomplishments. She lived a wonderful and interesting life. Her passing will leave an empty place in our lives and our hearts, but our memories of her will live forever. Her ashes will be placed beside the love of her life, Irvine, in the Jacksonville National Cemetery. We love you and will miss you Mama, Grandmama, Maw-maw. I hope you and Daddy will be laughing and dancing together once again.

We will have a memorial and celebration of life at a later date, to be announced,