Tributes

Patricia Irene Morrison lived a beautiful 87 years, and passed peacefully on October 7, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Pat was born on March 12, 1935 to Roland and Thelma McCullar in Sacramento, Calif., but she adamantly considered herself an "Okie". She a was a doting older sister to two siblings, her sister Jan and her baby brother Luke. Pat spoke fondly of her childhood, which she spent in a wonderful world of make believe based on her favorite stories, reading every book she could get her hands on. On June 29, 1957 she married the love of her life, Waldo Royce Morrison Jr., in Oklahoma City, Okla. Together they raised four children: Chris, Kelley, Shelley, and Kip. Pat loved being a mother and lit up every time she told stories about raising her beloved brood. She especially cherished their time together at their little sanctuary on Lake Eufaula, and it's hard to believe their home on 25th and Independence was able to contain all the family's love, laughter, and memories. Pat dedicated her life to education and loved to learn, read, and teach. Pat earned her degree in education from Central State University, Oklahoma in 1972 and became a reading specialist, spending most of her career working in low-income school districts. Throughout her life, Pat passed on her love of reading to every student she encountered. Her teaching career spanned more than 30 years until she retired from San Antonio Independent School District in 2000. But never one to be idle, she jumped into working part-time for her son Kip and volunteering at Northwood Elementary, where she went on to tutor and volunteer in first grade classrooms for almost another decade. It's hard to imagine the number of young minds she shaped in her lifetime, but we are sure that the world is a better place for her hard work and enduring spirit. Among her other passions, Pat was a keen gardener, who spent hours meandering and shaping her backyard into an oasis of brilliant blooms. She was at her happiest enjoying the weather on her back patio, a glass of lemonade in hand, watching the birds and squirrels, who she kept very well fed. Pat was an avid Sooner fan, never missing a game in her lucky T-shirt and cheering on her boys louder than anyone in the room. She had incredible taste in music and stayed in the know on new artists, often introducing her kids and grandkids to new favorites she'd heard on her radio stations. One of her favorite ways to take care of her family was to feed them, she'd spend hours in the kitchen prepping all our family favorites. It's impossible to encapsulate Pat's passions and all the wonderful things she did in her lifetime in just a few paragraphs. Above all, Pat cared the most for her family -- her four children, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were the light of her life. Her home was a warm, happy place full of laughter and homemade baked goods, with a hug waiting for you at the door. Pat was a consummate entertainer and decked the halls for every holiday; if she had it her way, she would have always had a full house. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband Royce and her sister Jan. She is survived by her brother Luke, her four children Chris, Kelley, Shelley, and Kip, ten grandchildren Taylor, Leighton, Sarah, Evin, Cherisse, Christopher, Kalei Ana, Cole, Riley Shae, and Samantha, two great-grandchildren, Waylon and Watson, many nieces, nephews and friends, and her four-legged best friend Rosebud. She cherished her many relationships and those she left behind will miss her dearly. She was our matriarch. She was our constant. She cheered us all on in every endeavor we attempted. She challenged us and she helped us grow. Life will never be the same without her, but we will also never be the same because of all she gave us. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to a cause that Pat felt so strongly about: San Antonio Youth Literacy.

Tributes

Patricia Irene Morrison

March 12, 1935 - October 7, 2022