Faye Morris

Faye Gowan Morris, 103, of Garner, passed away December 24, 2008. She was born September 20, 1905 and was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Pitts Morris; her son, Luther Pitts Morris, Jr.; her parents, Burrell and Rose Gowen; and four brothers, Burl Gowen, Charles Gowen, Ed Gowen and Curtis Gowen.

Faye taught school for almost 40 years. She began teaching at age 15 at Copper Springs, riding a horse to school each morning. She recently had an 85-year reunion with former student, Wilma Langley of Searcy, whom she routinely gave a ride to school on her horse. Morris began teaching after finishing the eighth grade, attending Jonesboro College (now Arkansas State University) where she gained the credits to receive her high school diploma. She then passed the test to attain her teaching certificate and began her long career. She later completed her bachelor's degree from Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas).

Of that long teaching career, 23 of those years were at Searcy's McRae Elementary School where she taught first grade. Faye also taught at Happy (near Griffithville), Garner, and Glen Bernie, Maryland. She possessed all the qualities of an outstanding teacher. Not only did she have the knowledge and ability to teach, she also served the roles of caring mother, counselor, and nurse to her students. She had a very sweet and loving way of seeing that her students got exactly what they needed each and every day and many of them remained close to her through the years. Faye taught every grade and each was a joy to her. She even taught Veterans of World War II at Garner and Beebe College (now ASU-Beebe). She truly enjoyed every minute she was in the classroom. She loved each student and they knew it! That was apparent throughout her life as former students visited their beloved teacher frequently. She also continued to inspire today's youth as she had a group of students from Harding University (John and Chelsie) visit her weekly to partake of her knowledge and humanity.

When she taught at Garner during World War II, all the men had gone to war and there was no one to coach the boy's basketball team. The boys wanted a team so they asked her to be their coach. She told them she didn't know anything about coaching, but she would do her best. It must have been good enough--the team finished the season undefeated and won the County Championship. Over the years, her basketball players, including Herman Scott, still visited and took her to see several college games.

In her later years, Faye also was an accomplished artist and her family enjoys many of her paintings. She also was active in her professional organizations, such as Delta Kappa Gamma, her church and civic activities. She served as Garner's city recorder and has a street named in her honor. On her 100th birthday, the Mayor of Garner bestowed the title of "Honorary Mayor" on Mrs. Morris in tribute for her years of service to her community.

Although her career was outstanding, her greatest legacy is her family. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Charles George of Cabot, and daughter-in-law, Irene Morris of Nashville, Tennessee.
She has six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren: Luther Pitts (Skip) Morris III, and his wife Debbie of Marietta, Ga., and their sons Matthew Morris of Nashville, Tenn., and Nathan Morris of Washington, D.C.; Rodger Morris of Nashville, Tenn., daughter, Erin Morris and son Brian Morris and his wife, Misty and their son Jackson Morris, all of Nashville, Tenn.; Jeff Morris and his wife Lori, and their children Emma and James Owen Morris, all of Fredricksburg, Va.; Charles George Jr. and his wife Lisa, and their son Ike George and daughters Josie George and Jennifer George Bannon and her son Jordan Bannon , all of Conway; Jacque George Cottrell and her husband Ron, and their daughters, Scottlyn and Sydney-Anne Cottrell of Sugar Land, Texas; and Connie Faye George Reed and her husband Scott, and their sons, Taylor and Lucas Reed of El Dorado.

She also is survived by nephews and nieces, Huey Gowen and his children Mike, Steve and Kelly and their families; Melvin Gowen and his family; Martha Dean Parchment and her family; Jimmy Morris Bell and his wife Marjorie, and son Dr. Larry Bell; J. W. Morris and his family; Lucille Tapp and family; Rose Marie Nettles and family; Mathew Hogan, and Patricia Hogan; as well as many treasured friends and former students.

Faye was a member of Garner Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are by Beebe's Westbrook Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday from 6-8 p.m. with services Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Garner Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Lebanon Cemetery at McRae.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Garner Baptist Church and Hospice, Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 5600 W. 12th St., Little Rock, AR 72204-1717, who the family would like to thank for their thoughtful care of Faye.