Kathren A. Morrison

Kathren A. Morrison, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Sixth and Meredith Church of Christ in Dumas. Graveside services will be at 4:30 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Kathren was born Jan. 28, 1921, in Condon Springs, just outside of Vernon, to James O. Condon and Augusta Condon. She lost her father at the age of five and her mother at the age of 14. She graduated from high school in Vernon. She met and married John E. Morrison on May 1, 1942, in Texarkana. After John served in World War II, she and John moved to Austin, where he attended and graduated from law school at the University of Texas. John will tell anyone that Kathren earned his law degree as much as he did. After a few years in other places, the family settled in Amarillo where they lived for 21 years. They moved to Borger in 1972, moving back to Amarillo in 1979. The family then moved in 1988 to Wheeler to be near their eldest son, a preacher in Wheeler. After living in Wheeler for 13 years, John and Kathren moved to Dumas to live with their daughter Earlene Morrison Laminack and soninlaw Troy B. Laminack. Kathren loved her Lord. She also taught Bible school classes for preschool children for 21 years at Southside and Southwest Church of Christ in Amarillo. She was instrumental in establishing Sunday school at the Latin Church of Christ in Amarillo, and also taught there for many years. Kathren was a joyful woman who loved to be active and to be around people. Family was the most important thing to Kathren. While in Amarillo, she was active as a leader in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for the many years that her four children were involved with this activity. She also participated to the greatest extent in little league sports with her children, in baton twirling activities with her two daughters, and in the PTA, serving as president and in other offices. While in Borger, Kathren became active in the Sheriffs Posse Club and the Grandmothers Club, serving as president in both organizations. Since moving to Dumas, Kathren had been active in the Red Hat Society Chapter of the Dumas Darlin Dollies. Kathren loved to dress in her red and purple finery and participate in the Red Hat activities. She loved her fellow Red Hatters, especially Queen Mum Candy Dewey and Pink Hatter Lesi Potter. Kathren was an excellent cook. Her brand of social work was to take a freshly baked cake to a friend or even an acquaintance who was hurting for some reason or who had a reason to celebrate. Her homemade bread was so delicious that words cannot describe it. Kathren was never selfish. Her home was always open to those in need. Over the years, she and John provided love and a roof over their heads to a Korean missionary, a German immigrant, many needy children, nieces and nephews who needed a place to stay while attending college and many others. One of Kathrens greatest joys in life was being a grandmother and then a greatgrandmother. She loved her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren with a passionate love and never tired of playing with them or doing things for them. All of the grandchildren have spent countless joyful hours in her home or being taken to such activities as the circus, etc. Kathren had a positive outlook on life. She always saw the glass as halffull, never halfempty. Three years ago, Kathren had to accept the fact that she would have to use a cane all of the time. In true optimist fashion, Kathren decided that if she must use a cane, she would enjoy it. At the beginning of every month, family activities involved redecorating the cane. The cane received a makeover with flowers and mementos representing the events of the upcoming month on it. Always there was a cross hanging from the cane to proclaim her faith in her Heavenly Father. And always there were pictures of her beloved greatgrandchildren in luggage tag frames hanging from the cane. And also a horn, which she often honked just to get attention. Everywhere she went people noticed Kathrens cane and commented on it. Several times she was offered money to decorate a cane for someone else. She was preceded in death by her mother and father two brothers a sister and two sons, Timothy Ian Morrison and Billy Jack Morrison. Survivors include her husband, John E. Morrison two daughters, Earlene and husband Troy Laminack of Dumas and Candy Morrison of Bailey a daughterinlaw, Nancy Morrison of Wheeler eight grandchildren, Audra Laminack, Adam and Jessica Laminack and Lori and Greg Sprock, all of Amarillo, Jeff and Nicki Morrison, both of Lubbock, and Rebekah Morrison of Gruver five greatgrandchildren, Kyle Hewitt, Gavin Morrison, Blake Morrison, Emersyn Kate Sprock, Kathrens namesake, a fact that thrilled her, and Matthew LaminackNevarez numerous nieces and nephews and too many dear friends to count. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Childrens Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114, a charity that Kathren always supported with financial donations as well as tireless energy.