Laura Ratliff Morris

FARMVILLE – Laura Anne Ratliff Morris was welcomed into the Kingdom of her heavenly Father on July 28, 2024.  She was 88 years old.  Her Homecoming Celebration and interment took place at Mt. Nebo Methodist Church in Clanton, Alabama on August 10, 2024.   There will be a Remembrance Fellowship at 2:00pm on Saturday September 21, 2024, in Farmville, NC, at the First Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall).   All who were a part of her life are invited to join with the family in finding comfort in the memories of good times shared.  Though her physical presence will continue to be missed, we rejoice knowing she is face-to-face with Jesus.

Laura leaves behind to cherish and honor her memory:  daughter Julia (Julie) Laura Anne Morris Howell and husband, Scott William Howell; daughter Cynthia (Cindi) Mary Hazel Morris; ; grandson Ryan Scott Howell and wife, Sagel Trachier; granddaughter Melissa Laura Howell and husband, Garrett Cross; great-grandson Miles William Cross; brother Willie Lamar Morris and wife, Gayle Griggs Morris; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Roots in Alabama and Mt. Nebo Methodist Church

Laura Anne Ratliff Morris was born in Clanton, Alabama on October 10, 1935 to Milliard Parnell Ratliff and Mary Louis Culp Ratliff.  Her mother was a member of Mt Nebo Methodist Church in Clanton, Alabama.  Mt. Nebo was founded in 1906 by her great grandfather, Jesse A. Culp.   The church was actually built by Jesse Culp and his sons.   Laura gave her life to Christ at Mt Nebo at the age of 12.   Laura graduated from Isabella High School in Clanton, Alabama in 1952.  She started attending Snead Junior College in Boaz, Alabama, that summer.  In the fall of 1952, her parents moved to West Chicago, Illinois where her father secured a full-time job with the railroad.   Laura remained in Clanton to continue her studies at Snead Junior college, living with her grandmother, Laura Dallas Popwell Culp.   While attending Snead, she registered for Auburn University, but ended up taking a job at the University of Alabama.  She worked at the University of Alabama for 4 years.  

God at Work in Her Life

God had plans for sending a fine Christian man into Laura’s life.  While working at the University of Alabama, she learned of a civil service job in Atlanta.  Dr. Morton, the dean at the University of Alabama, wanted Laura to stay and enroll at the University and get a degree.  But due to financial constraints, Laura did not feel this was possible.  She took the civil service test for stenographer.  After working for a time with the Civil Service Board of Examiners, she was led to a job at Atlanta General Depot, the military depot near the airport.  The heads of each department were military, but the rest of the employees were civil service.   Lieutenant Alva Julius Morris [Al] came to work there late 1957.  Al was assigned to work for the deputy post commander in the building where Laura worked.  There were very few young people working there, so they would all gather together for lunch.  Laura soon learned she and Al had something in common: They were both from Alabama. 

Lake Lanier is a reservoir north of Atlanta built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.   The young people from the military depot took a trip together to the lake recreation area in 1957.  Al invited this group of friends, including Laura, to his promotion party from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant.  Laura became friends with Al’s boss’ daughter, Mickey.  Mickey had taken a liking to one of Al’s roommates, Pat.  Mickey borrowed her mother’s hard top convertible and Al, Laura, Pat, and Mickey went to a movie together.  Even though Laura just “went along” as a friend, looking back, after their relationship grew, Laura and Al considered this their “first date.”  They were united in marriage December 18th, 1959.   Alva Julius Morris entered the Kingdom of Heaven December 12, 2022, just one week shy of their 63rd wedding anniversary.

At the time they wed in 1959, Al had already been involved in service for the Lord as a Sunday School teacher for 3rd graders.   (Al grew up in the Baptist Church, confessing his life to Christ and baptized at a young age.)  Right after they were married, Al was sent to Fort Lee, Virginia for Parachute packing and maintenance for 3 months.   Then to Fort Benning, Georgia for a combat arms course.  After Fort Benning, Al was sent to Fort Bragg.  It was at Bragg that Laura had their first child, Julie, in 1960.

With each move from place to place, which was frequent in Al’s Army career, Laura and Al always sought out a church to join with active children’s/youth ministries for their daughters, Julie and Cindi, as well as opportunities for the two of them to serve.  They had a special passion for ministering to children and youth.  Al and Laura always volunteered to teach Sunday School (with Al being the main teacher, but Laura being is right hand).  When they taught the college age Sunday School at First Baptist in Wilson, NC, Laura and Al frequently invited the class to their home for fun and fellowship.  They even took the college Sunday School class to the Destin, Florida area where Al’s parents had a house on the beach.   Laura’s faithful service along side her husband also included participation in church choirs, youth committees, budget committees, volunteering in the nursery, preparing and serving Wednesday night suppers, volunteering through church to deliver Meals-on-Wheels, and even serving as a Deacon at First Baptist Church, Farmville.   Additionally, each school year at graduation, Al and Laura would gift devotional books to the high school and college graduates of FBC Farmville.  Laura was also very active in a Tuesday morning Bible Study group in Farmville for many years, until the day she passed on to glory on Sunday, July 28th.   Her memory will live on and continue to be celebrated as a life well lived; one of faithful obedience and dedication to sharing the love of Jesus.   

In lieu of flowers or other in-memory gifts, Laura’s wish was for memorials to:

Mt. Nebo Methodist Church

                c/o Judeen Ellison

                4025 4th Avenue N

                Clanton, AL  35045

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