Ernani Bautista Morgan

The daughter of David and Socorro Bautista, Nani was born in Manila, Philippines on June 28, 1945. Growing up in the Philippines, she took an early interest in the musical arts - playing the piano, singing, and dancing. Upon college graduation with a degree in Phys Ed, she immediately became a teacher, just like her own mother.

In 1968, Nani moved to the US, the first in her family.

She became an American citizen, and then brought her mother, older brother and youngest sister to the US to live. She was proud to be a US citizen, often being moved to tears with the singing of our National Anthem.

Ernani married Charles Morgan in 1978, settled in Annapolis, MD, and together they raised their 3 children, Edward, Brenda, and Monica, until Charles’ sudden death in 1996.

She valued hard work and was successful as a college professor in Baltimore and a manager in hospital administration. She also went back to school after her husband’s passing and received a Masters in Acupuncture, maintaining her own practice until her move to FL in 2005.

Family meant everything to her, so to be closer to her son and eldest daughter, Nani and her youngest daughter moved to St. Johns, FL. She took on the role of Lola (grandma) to her three grandchildren, Ethan, Colby, and Kenzie, with overflowing love and affection. Nani was often seen loudly cheering from the stands at her grandsons’ baseball games and always an active participant in any playtime activity thought up by her granddaughter.

Singing was a lifelong passion for Nani. She kept that passion alive as a longtime member of the Our Lady of Good Counsel church choir and the Schola Cantorum of St. Augustine Cathedral. She also enjoyed being a devoted member of Karilagan, a Filipino folk dance group. And because Nani seemed to have more hours in the day than the rest of us, she was also involved in the North Florida Filipino American Association, even serving as president in 2015.

Very full of life. Loved her family fiercely. Laughed easily. Always singing. Never missed a chance to get up and dance. This is how Nani will be remembered.

Ernani is preceded in death by her parents, David and Socorro Bautista; brothers, Dante Bautista and Roberto Bautista; and her loving husband, Charles Morgan. She is survived by her son, Edward Morgan, her daughters, Brenda (Paul) Anderson, and Monica (Chris) Morgan; her grandchildren Ethan, Colby, and Kenzie Anderson; her sisters Dolores Robeniol and Josephine Guillen; and many wonderful nieces and nephews who adored their “Auntie Nani”.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday September 22, 2022, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Hardage - Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32223

A funeral mass will be held on Friday September 23, 2022, at 10:00am at Our Lady Of Good Counsel 5950 State Road 16 St Augustine, FL 32092.

Our Mom loved color! Please don’t feel compelled to wear black.

If you’d like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please send to Reach Academy. Reach Academy is a non profit autism school in Jacksonville, FL Ernani’s grandsons, both of whom are affected by autism, are students at Reach. She was so proud of their achievements and supported Reach for many years.

www.reachacademyjax.com.

The family wishes to thank Community Hospice Mandarin for their compassion and support.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the MORGAN family.