Louise Cromwell Mclaurin

Louise Cromwell Morrison McLaurin died Thursday May 15, 2008 in Austin. Louise was born in Pelham, New York on July 10, 1926 to Edythe Glover and Hiram Louis Morrison. She grew up in New Rochelle, NY and Westfield, NJ before moving with her family to Dallas in 1940. Louise graduated from Highland Park High School and the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Geology. At the University, she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. On December 28, 1946 she married Banks McLaurin, Jr. at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Dallas. Louise and Banks lived in Houston, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and Midland, moving with Banks' work with Exxon and Atlantic Richfield. In 1954, they settled in Dallas and lived there 50 years. Louise was active with her three children's schools; the Plaid Door and choir at St. Luke's Episcopal Church; the Dallas Woman's Club, where she served on the Board of Governors; several square dance clubs; her sorority alumni group; as a volunteer at Old City Park; the Lide Spragins and Pierian book clubs; Profitears Investment Club; and the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club. Louise and Banks traveled to more than 100 countries and especially enjoyed skiing, the family ranch, and trips with their children and grandchildren. Louise was a gifted needlewoman and seamstress. She sewed, smocked, embroidered, knitted, and needlepointed for her family members. Her eight grandchildren will treasure the beautiful Christmas stockings she needlepointed for each one. In 2003, the McLaurins moved to the Summit retirement community in Austin to be close to their daughters' families. After Banks' death, Louise continued to enjoy her grandchildren. Surviving her are her three children, Candace McLaurin Volz and husband John; Thomas Banks McLaurin and wife Claire; and Marion McLaurin Forbes and husband Keith. Louise also leaves eight grandchildren: Warren, Emery and Evelyn Volz; Douglas and Reed McLaurin; and Louisa, Lauren and Jonathon Forbes. She is also survived by her brother, H. Lou Morrison Jr., niece Lucy Morrison McDaniel and nephews Louis and Mark Morrison. We would especially like to thank Louise's caregivers, Clara, Akpe, Summer, Martha, and Linda; and the staff of Hospice Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Louise McLaurin Scholarship Fund at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX, 75230. Services will be held at 3:00 pm May 21 at St. David's Episcopal Church, Austin; and at 11:00 am May 31 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Dallas.