Marie Brown Morford, was born on Saturday April 28, 1928, and left us to be with her Lord on Monday, October 02, 2023, after 95 years, 4 months and 20 days of a wonderful, adventure-filled life here on Earth. She was a true to form Christian Southern Lady and a loving parent who I am so very fortunate and proud to call Mom.
Marie began her life in the final days of the Roaring Twenties and lived most of her childhood years within the confines of the Great Depression. The resulting experiences framed much of her perspective on daily life, providing her with a strong constitution and strength of character rarely found in our current society. As a teenaged young lady Mom navigated life during WWII, further defining her views on frugality, personal integrity and making do with what one has in life. It was during this time that she met my Dad, who after 66 years of marriage preceded her in passing.
After 10 years of marriage following a period where Dad served as an Army officer including overseas service in the Korean War, I was born. Six years later, I was joined by a sister, Lisa. The years that followed brought us to Atlanta, Georgia, where Mom was a dedicated and devoted parent, always watching, instructing and guiding our childhood development, while also allowing and encouraging personal growth along the way. Mom always maintained a robust circle of friends, was an avid Bridge expert, played golf and tennis and periodically traveled with Dad on business trips when appropriate. As a family, we took many trips throughout my childhood years, which always included learning experiences and historical explorations.
Later in life, Mom and Dad moved to Dallas, Texas, then after Dad's retirement at 70 they moved on to spend years each in Orange Beach, Alabama, The Villages, Florida, back home to Nashville, Tennessee, and finally relocating to rejoin me and their granddaughters Gabby and Alyssa in Bradenton, Florida. Throughout these many years, they were inseparable, sharing everyday adventures and routines as one.
Marie (Mom), missed that simple, dedicated togetherness in the years after Dad's passing, but continued to play bridge and share time with friends and family until her last days. She never wavered from her dedication to a life of loving care, commitment and integrity. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Ted, brother Hillard, and grandson Joey, and is survived by her sister Charlotte, son Dan (Martha), daughter Lisa, grandson Ben, granddaughters Christina, Gabby (Justin) and Alyssa. Our world has lost a beautiful soul with her passing and I will miss her greatly with every day ahead.
