Mary Esther Massey Morgan

Mary Massey Morgan passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Mary was born in Fort Worth, TX to Alvis Tillmon and Julia Ann Christian Massey and spent her early years surrounded by family and music, which became her lifelong passion. She attended the University of North Texas, where she completed most of her studies in music. She transferred to and graduated from Texas Christian University after marrying Lon and later dedicated her life to sharing music’s beauty through service, teaching, and composition.

Mary married Ira Lon Morgan in 1948, and together they built a life filled with love, family, and adventure. Their partnership was extraordinary—Lon’s professional achievements were deeply supported by Mary’s unwavering love and talent. They traveled the world, hosted memorable gatherings, and raised a family that cherished their example of devotion and faith.

Mary’s contributions to music and her community were profound. She served for decades in the Music Ministry at First Baptist Church, Austin, beginning in the 1950s under Dr. Carlyle Marney and music director James Berry. She composed numerous anthems, offertory responses, and children’s choir pieces that continue to inspire worship today. Her compositions were described as ‘music of redemption—a kind of music seldom written,’ reflecting her deep faith and artistry.

Beyond her church work, Mary was active in many organizations, including co-founding the Austin SAI Chapter, participating in the Symphony League, Music Club, and serving on the Board of Goodwill Industries. She also supported Seton Hospital as a Robin Volunteer and contributed to numerous philanthropic efforts.

Her generosity extended to education through an endowed scholarship at the University of North Texas College of Music, benefiting over twenty graduate students in music theory. She also gifted a Steinway concert grand piano to UNT’s Winspear Concert Hall, ensuring future generations could experience the joy of music.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Lon Morgan and grandson Graham Raff and is survived by her children: Dr. Marilon Morgan, David Morgan and wife Mary, and Carol Morgan Walls and husband Alan; her grandchildren, Ira Morgan and wife Melissa, Avis Kelley and husband Shawn, Kate Hurd and husband Brian, Adrianne Pardue and husband Thomas, Jessica Raff, Jared Walls and wife Bekky, Sarah Salinas and husband Israel; and her great-grandchildren, Trinity, Emily, Sarah, Ethan, Lukas, Ava Grace, and Finn. She will be remembered for her love of family, her devotion to faith, and her lifelong mission to share music as a spiritual voice.

The family would like to thank Trinity Raff and Lisa Almond for their loving care of Mary as well as Kindful Health Hospice for their excellent care in her last days.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home in Austin, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Austin(901 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701) at 11:00 a.m., followed by a private graveside service for family only.

The family of Mary Massey Morgan fondly honors her lifelong love of music and admiration of the UNT College of Music. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Ethelston Provence and Lamarr Chapman Music Theory Scholarship, which supports music theory students at the college. Please donate through this link https://tinyurl.com/MaryMasseyMorgan

Pallbearers include: David Morgan, Alan Walls, Ira Morgan, Dave Fitzgerald, Thomas Pardue, Shawn Kelley