BARBARA MORRIS
12/01/1945 - 12/13/2022
Barbara Alverson Morris was born December 1, 1945 in Greenville, South Carolina and passed away at the age of 77 on December 13, 2022 in Austin Texas. She was a 10 year survivor of metastatic breast cancer during which time she led an active and productive life and was a vocal advocate for increased breast cancer research. Barbara grew up in Pelzer, SC, earned a BA degree with High Honors from Clemson University (1968), and an MA degree in English Literature from Rice University in 1972.
Teaching was Barbara’s calling in life. She taught English for two years at Texas Southern University. Then for 13 years, taught preschool at Bethany Methodist School and The School for Little Children. She became a frequent lecturer on the role of literature in early childhood education. From 2005-2009 she served as Resident Master of Hanszen College at Rice University, and has maintained regular contact with many of her students after their graduation. They remember her as kind, supportive, and a very special woman. Barbara was a dedicated researcher of family genealogy and published books on the Alversons of Virginia and South Carolina as well as the Kentucky Morris Family. She also co-authored the academic text; Reading Faulkner.
Always an avid reader, Barbara loved to discuss literature, film, and politics. She greatly enjoyed gardening and baking, and provided years of tasty delights for friends and family. Especially notable are her rich chocolate chip cookies. She treasured her 13 year friendship with “The Ladies Who Lunch,” Eugenia Weissenbereger, Glynda Cumby, and Lisa Bryan, a group of friends who met regularly for shopping expeditions or over margaritas and enchiladas to discuss the affairs of the world.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Wesley Abram Morris, and her two sons, John Wesley Alverson Morris and David Nathaniel Alverson Morris of Round, Rock, TX; her stepsons, Jeffery Blake Morris, his wife Christine and their children Quentin Morris and Hugh Morris, and Michael Edward Morris, his wife Danna and their children Nathaniel Morris and Rebecca Morris of Houston, TX; her beloved brothers, James “Buddy” Alverson of Honea Path, SC and Bruce Alverson of Pelzer, SC; and her aunt Ethel Alverson Stubbs of Greenville, SC.
Barbara dearly loved her four sons, her daughters-inlaw, and her grandchildren. They were always in her thoughts and prayers and at the center of her concerns.
She suffered when they were burdened, took joy and pride from their achievements, and always welcomed each freely into her heart.