Dr. Troy Lee Morrison, 89, passed away on September 12th, 2021. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Gadsden, Friday, September 17th, 2021. Visitation will be held from 12:30-2:00 PM at the church with the service to follow. Dr. Rick Lance, Dr. Charles Carter, Dr. Richard Trader, Reverend Randy Gunter and Reverend Craig Carlisle will conduct the services at 2:00 PM, with a private family burial to follow at Crestwood Memorial Cemetery.
Dr. Morrison was born and raised in Cherokee County, Alabama. He spent the majority of his adult life in Gadsden, Alabama. Upon graduating from Gaylesville High School, he attended Jacksonville State University, where he played both basketball and baseball. While there he met and would soon marry Frances Gunter; he and Frances would share 65 wonderful years of marriage together. After graduating from JSU, he worked for his father-in-law, L.H. Gunter, in his building supply business in Piedmont, Alabama. Shortly thereafter, he answered the call to full-time ministry, and graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where he would later receive his Doctorate.
During his early ministry years, he served various churches in the state of Kentucky, and pastored Southside Baptist Church in Etowah County. In 1968, he was called by 12th Street Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama, and grew the church to a membership of 2000 + members during his tenure. He served as their Senior Pastor for 18 years.
He then served as Director of Pastor/Church Relations with the Alabama Baptist State Association in Montgomery, Alabama in 1986. He was appointed Executive Director by the Alabama Baptist Convention in 1989, its top position, and served in that role until his retirement in 1999. He authored two books, A Miracle of God and Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver. His career stretched the globe as he traveled to Europe, Korea, Japan and Hawaii to initiate and establish missions to those regions. His efforts were also essential nationwide as he worked with other religious leaders traveling to all 50 states. He received hundreds of awards, recognitions and proclamations from national and international organizations throughout his career. The ripple effects of changed lives will be felt for generations as thousands came to know Christ through his efforts.
Dr. Morrison was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Gunter Morrison, and his daughter, Marsha Morrison Burttram. He is survived by his son, Mark (Anniece) Morrison, his sister, Gerri Morrion Basic, and his son-in-law Curtis Burttram; his five grandchildren, Matthew (Emily) Burttram, Megan (Jason) Reese, Lindsey (Allen) Beck, Mallory (Jordan) Means, and Meredith (Jay) Shaddix; his great-grandchildren, Lilly Rose, Jackson, and Holden Reese, Andrew Burttram, Jeffery and Martie Beck, and Raylee Shaddix; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Dr. Morrison will lovingly be remembered by those whom he had the privilege of serving as pastor, and those whom he worked alongside in ministry. He was a mentor/advisor to mayors of Gadsden and Governors of the State of Alabama. He was considered an expert communicator and taught many seminars on maximizing others to their full potential. He stressed excellence in everything and encouraged others to achieve it. He was quick to listen and meet the needs of others, but also ready to share a comedic story or two when the opportunity presented itself. His sense of humor and laughter underlined his great business acumen. He cultivated deep, lifelong friendships by his kindness, hospitality, and servant's heart. He sponsored 12 college educations, 2 post graduate educations and adopted 5 children so he could provide for their needs. Among his hobbies, he spent many Saturdays cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide football team (and occasionally getting on the officials for a “questionable” call), and shared that same passion for Kentucky basketball. Simply put, he left a legacy of love for all who loved and knew him.
Pallbearers will be Royce Head, Wayne Eads, Danny Hankins, Tim Hollingsworth, John Gunter, Greg Ford, Allen Beck, Jason Reese, Jordan Means, and Jay Shaddix. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Camp and Ray Grigsby. Special thanks to Patsi Hollingsworth, caregiver.
The family will be receiving friends from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM on Friday at the church prior to the service. The service can be viewed live via Meadowbrook Baptist Church’s Website or FB sites.
Collier-Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18