family and friends. She was born May 3, 1926, in Sherman, Texas, to the late William
Matison (Matt) and Ola Mae (McKee) Kirby.
Beginning in the early 1930’s, Martha worked for over 50 years at her family’s grocery
store business, Kirby Grocery, on Grand Avenue near Austin College. Martha and her
family provided several very unique services from their small store including fresh
produce, cut to order fresh meat, buying on credit, free delivery and (amazingly) unloading
the perishables into the refrigerator or freezer while the customer was not home. Doors
were not locked in those days.
Martha wed Walter John Morrison, Jr., a Denison firefighter, in 1959 and was happily
married for over 40 years. She lived her entire life in Grayson county and other than a few
years in Denison, home was always in Sherman at the northeast or southeast corner of
Grand Avenue at Tuck Street next to Kirby Grocery. Martha’s passing brings an end to
over 117 years of the Kirby family in Sherman, TX.
Martha was a very honest and down-to-earth woman whose greatest joy in life was family.
Along with her two sisters and her mother, Martha cooked incredibly delicious Southern
meals, true comfort food, when the family and friends gathered, which was almost daily.
Many days there would be a crowd at lunchtime (dinner). The evening meal (supper) also
frequently hosted another crowd of family and friends. Memories of those meals still make
one’s mouth water. She was a woman of few needs; she enjoyed the simple life, one
uncomplicated by the fast pace of today’s world. She was truly a woman of a bygone era.
Martha is survived by her brother in law, Bill McLeod of Plano; nephews Bruce McLeod
and wife, Yvette of Plano, Brett McLeod and wife Julie of Dallas, and Scott McLeod of
Houston; great niece and nephews, Andrew, Will, Thomas, Kirby, Caleigh and Bradan
McLeod; step granddaughter, Debbie Keown and her husband, Mark of Pottsboro, as well
as many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren with her late
husband, Walter. She is preceded in death by both parents, husband Walter and sisters
Betty Jean McLeod and Matalene Jennings.
Memorial services for Martha Louise (Kirby) Morrison, 93, will be held Saturday, August
3, 2019, 12:00 p.m., at Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, Sherman, Texas. Committal
service will follow at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman. Reverend Lander Bethel will
officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Martha’s memory to The Grayson County
Crisis center or your favorite charity.
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