Nona Lou Morrison

Nona Lou Morrison, age 81 of Snyder, Texas, passed away Friday, December 23, 2011 at Cogdell Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Services for Mrs. Morrison will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 1 PM at Colonial Hill Baptist Church, where she was a member, with Dr. Tommy Culwell officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Gardens under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

Nona was born on July 14, 1930 near Walnut Springs, Texas, to Earl and Grace Morrison (deceased). Nona attended the Morgan Public Schools, graduating as Valedictorian of her Senior Class at age 16. She attended North Texas State Teachers College in Denton, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, English and Sociology in 1950. Nona then moved to Austin, Texas to attend the University of Texas where she earned a Master of Arts in English in 1951. Nona subsequently taught school in Brownsville and Freer, Texas before moving to Midland to join the Texas Employment Commission in 1952.

In 1960, Nona was called into the Ministry, attending Southwest Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas and earning a Master of Religious Education in 1962. Over the next 8 years, she served as Minister of Youth at Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas and Fairview Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. In 1968, Nona moved to Snyder to become the Minister of Education at the First Baptist Church. She also taught Sunday School, led Bible Drill, served in Vacation Bible School, and went on Church Builder mission trips to Montana, Colorado, and California.

In Snyder, she met and married J.O. Morrison III on May 18, 1969. For many years, Nona was a substitute teacher for the Snyder Independent School District, then taught GED equivalency courses at the Texas Department of Corrections Price Daniel Unit for 11 years. She was a member of the Martha Ann Woman"s Club. Nona enjoyed competitive duplicate bridge, working in her large garden, playing golf, travelling, and of late, entertaining her two grandchildren.

She is survived by: her husband, J.O. Morrison III of Snyder, Texas; one son, Judson Morrison IV & his wife Samantha of Houston, Texas; step-mother, Mildred Morrison of Walnut Springs, Texas; two brothers, Garland Morrison of Walnut Springs, Texas, and Harold Morrison of Arlington, Texas; one sister, Judy Garms of Richardson, Texas; and two grandchildren, Cooper & Judson Morrison of Houston, TX. Nona was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Morrison, of Walnut Springs, Texas, and one sister, Earline Hunter, of Houston, Texas.

Visitation will be Monday, December 26, 2011 from 5PM to 6PM at Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home. Online condolences may be posted at www.bellcypertseale.com <http://www.bellcypertseale.com>

In life, Nona loved God and sought to serve him in her ministry, family and career. She was optimistic and determined in everything she did; no task was insurmountable. Nona had a wonderful sense of humor that lifted the spirits of all around her and carried her through life"s hardships. She was outgoing, fun-loving and full of life. Nona"s life was a blessing to all who knew her and she will be greatly missed.