Katherine Austin Morris

Mrs. Katherine Austin Morris died peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2014, just shy of her 99th birthday. Born Sarah Katherine Austin, Dec. 10, 1915, in Cobb County, she was the daughter of Chester Benningsfield and Lizzie Levittie Adair Austin. She grew up in Smyrna, Ga., with her siblings, Annie Grace Epperson (deceased), Frances Joyner, Chet (Hazel) Austin, and Rebekah (Mickey) Walker. In 1940, she married Claude Nathan Morris of Atlanta and moved with him in 1946 to Americus where he established his law practice. Claude later became District Attorney of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit and retired in 1980. They had been married almost 60 years when he died in 1999. Together they had four children. The youngest, Gary Pittman Morris, was killed in a tragic accident on September 28th. The surviving children are Dr. Douglas (Terry) Morris and Kay (John) Adams of Atlanta and Betsy (Rick) Prince of Carrollton. She is also survived by ten grandchildren whom she dearly loved, Dr. Cullen (Leigh) Morris of Athens, Brad (Jennifer) Morris of Atlanta, Mike (Katie) Morris of Athens, Karey Swomley of Charleston, SC, Lee Swomley of Seattle, WA., Kimberly (Neill) Korobov of Carrollton, Elizabeth (Brian) Coleman of Augusta, Katherine Prince of Eastman, Pittman (Jill) Morris of Augusta, Susan (Drew) Hebson of Alabaster, AL and two step-grandchildren, Tammy Morgan and Jeff Adams. Two of her husband's five sisters also survive her, Jeri Field and Bobbie Crawford of Mableton. Katherine always loved babies, so her delight in later years was to welcome into the family eleven great-grandchildren. They now range in age from 3 months to 14 years. She rocked and sang to each of them. Leaving her home in Americus to be closer to her children and grandchildren, she moved to Park Springs in Stone Mountain in 2004. Katherine was a woman of boundless energy, fierce determination, and remarkable talent. She never started anything she didn't finish. She was an excellent seamstress, a wonderful cook, and an energetic gardener. When a tornado destroyed her backyard, she single-handedly turned the once shady acre into a sunny flower garden at the age of 80. As a senior citizen, she taught ceramics to the "old folks" at Magnolia Manor (and most were younger than she). Katherine was dearly loved by family and friends. Her children will always appreciate the sacrifices she made to insure they received a good education which was so important to both her and their dad. She had a warm smile and a sweet disposition, and, no matter the circumstances or her state of health, she rarely complained. The family will always remember her grace, strength, endurance, and dignity. She loved to laugh, enjoyed hard work, and was devoted to family. She was always present at family occasions recognizing the importance of spending time together and making memories whenever possible. She will be sadly missed. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, October 30, at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Bill Dupree and Rev. Jim Smith will officiate, and her family will share treasured memories of her at that time. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM in Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, October 29, between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 PM at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. A memorial service will later be held at Mountain Park United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain on Saturday, Nov. 8th, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709; Mountain Park United Methodist Church, 1405 Rockbridge Rd SW, Stone Mountain, GA 30087; Magnolia Manor, 2001 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709; Emory Palliative Care, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322; or to a charity of one's choice. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mrs. Katherine Morris.