Sharon "Shar’rie" Johnson Morris

Sharon Marie Morris, lovingly known as Shar’rie, passed away surrounded by family. She was born on November 16, 1945, to RJ and Mildred Johnson. She is survived by her devoted brother, Benny Johnson, and her daughters Sandi Buhlman and husband Mark Buhlman, Rene Morris and husband Craig Heffelfinger and Kim Philpot and husband Billie Philpot. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Orvil Morris and step-daughter Deborah May.

Shar’rie spent her early childhood living in many places before her family settled in Longview, Texas, where she formed one of the most important relationships of her life. In 1960, she met her best friend, Sandy DonCarlos Wooten, and the two remained inseparable for more than 60 years — a rare and cherished friendship that shaped her life.

Shar’rie married Sam Morris, and together they welcomed her first daughter, Rene. Though the marriage was brief, Shar’rie’s life continued forward with strength and resilience. After one more marriage, she met the love of her life, Orvil Morris, with whom she shared 56 beautiful years of marriage until his passing on March 16, 2026. Together, they raised Rene, Sandi, and later in life found Kim, building a home filled with love, laughter, and unwavering commitment. Shar’rie and Orvil lived most of their married life in Dallas, Texas, before moving to Denison, Texas, in 2019. From that moment on, Mark and Sandi lovingly cared for her, supporting her daily needs and ensuring she was surrounded by comfort, dignity, and unwavering devotion.

Professionally, Shar’rie was a force of nature. She worked many jobs before finding her calling at the bank, where her career flourished. She began in the Lockbox Department, later moving to Account Services, where she transformed the Return Items team into a highly efficient, loss‑reducing operation. Her innovative processes and procedures saved the bank significant money and earned her numerous bonuses, awards, and deep respect from colleagues. Shar’rie’s drive and brilliance led her into Project Management, where she played pivotal roles in major initiatives — including consolidating processing sites, supporting multiple mergers, and helping transition Returns from paper‑based systems to image‑based technology. Her creativity and problem‑solving were so impactful that her name appears on 2 US patents for process design. She supported the bank through seven mergers, ultimately retiring as a Vice President at what is now Bank of America.

In 2006, Shar’rie faced one of the greatest challenges of her life when she suffered a major stroke, losing 35% of her brain mass. A stroke of that magnitude would have taken most people, but Shar’rie was not most people. Through sheer persistence, grit, and an unbreakable spirit, she relearned how to feed herself, prepare meals, and regain her independence. Although the stroke left her partially paralyzed and dependent on an electric wheelchair, she surprised her family every day with what she could accomplish. Her strength showed again when Orvil’s health began to decline. Despite her own limitations, Shar’rie cared for him through a pacemaker, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Her devotion never wavered. She remained his constant support, his advocate, and his comfort — just as he had been hers.

Shar’rie gave her life to Christ in 2011, a decision that brought her deep peace and purpose. Today, she is reunited with Orvil in heaven, dancing for the first time since her stroke — whole, joyful, and free.

She leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: Her daughters Rene, Sandi, and Kim; Her grandchildren Jordan Burnett, Kennadie Simpson and her husband Eli, Mackenzie Berg and her husband Colby; And her great‑grandchildren Maisyn and Gracyn Berg.

Shar’rie will be remembered for her fierce work ethic, her innovative mind, her loyalty, her faith, and her deep love for her family. She was admired by everyone who worked alongside her and cherished by everyone who knew her. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, her brother Benny, her lifelong friend Sandy, and in the countless lives she touched through her kindness, determination, and brilliance.