Shirley Faye Morris

Shirley was born in Austin to Carson and Lois Courtney on the 16th of February, 1945. As the daughter of a pastor, she grew up in church and Christian Ministry, and sang in “The Harbor Quartet,” a gospel quartet that traveled around South Texas singing in small churches as a young teenager. She met her husband and the love of her life, Robert L. Morris, Sr., while singing at a Freer, Texas church in 1961. The next weekend, he went to see her sing again in Bayside, marking the beginning of a beautiful 64 year-long romance. They were engaged for 3 years and married on the 29th of February, 1964.

Shirley is survived by Robert L. Morris, Sr., her husband of 61 years; her two beloved children, Robert Morris, Jr. and his wife Lilia, and Gina Pearson and her husband, Jim; her six grandchildren,

Jaclyn Vaughan, Trevor Curtis, Madilyn Curtis, Robert Morris III, Victoria Morris, and Daniel Montes; and her three great grandchildren, Eli Vaughan, Elise Vaughan, and Audrey Morris.

Shirley enjoyed having a large family and was affectionately known as Nana.

Shirley began work as a secretary, but spent the majority of her career in information technology. She developed information systems at Exxon and Esso Eastern at a time when the field of

information technology was in its infancy. Her work enabled her to travel all over the world, and she loved meeting new people and the chance to experience different cultures.

At home, Shirley loved to garden and created her own “secret garden,” a beautiful and colorful space that reflected her personality and was one of her favorite places to spend time. Every summer, she would have a summer camp for her grandchildren, and they spent countless fun hours playing together. She always will be remembered for making incredible “dirt cake” birthday cakes, complete with gummy worms, for their birthdays.

Shirley was a compassionate and loving person who was always reaching out to others. She had a strong faith, and attended numerous bible studies throughout the years. She generously volunteered her time to Kingsland Baptist Church, as well as to numerous other school and community events. She was always there for anyone in need, and personified the unifying and

sacrificial love that Christians are known for.

The family appreciates and thanks the Eagle’s Trace staff and caregivers for their service and kindness to Shirley with special thanks to the entire memory care and long-term care teams, as

well as Dr. Lee and Sandy with Bayou City Hospice.

A memorial service celebrating Shirley’s life is to be held at 10:00 o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 30th of June, at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. A graveside service will follow.