Mattie Morgan Obituary
Wife of John L. Morgan
John is a son of John Lafayette Morgan & Martha J. Taylor
Fayette County, Texas
La Grange Journal, June 25, 1936
Death Came Quickly to Mrs. J.L. Morgan Wednesday Afternoon
Mrs. Mattie Morgan, wife of J.L. Morgan of Plum, died suddenly Wednesday, June 17, while essaying to comb her hair, in the
privacy of her home. Although somewhat enfeebled for the past
two years, her condition was not such as would warrant alarm.
With precise thrust, she was stricken, death coming without
warning, and swift. Funeral services were held at the family
home at Plum, by Rev. J. E. Roth, pastor of the First Baptist
Church of La Grange, after which the body was brought to La
Grange, and taken to the Baptist Church. Following a brief
service by Rev. Roth, Dr. T. B. Taylor of Bastrop paid a
beautiful tribute to the departed wife, mother and grandmother.
Dr. Taylor, a teacher in the old Baptist church at Plum, taught
Mrs. Morgan and in referring to the child, the young woman, and
the wife and mother, said, “Mattie Kirk Morgan, was a dutiful
child, always willing to obey, she was a good wife and mother;
her life was sunshine because of her kindness to others.”
Interment was made at the New Cemetery, Rev. Roth officiating.
From her home village, from all surrounding neighborhoods, men,
women, and children, and many of the colored neighbors who
“loved Miss Mattie”—came to pay the last respect. Miss Morgan was reared in the village of Plum, a daughter of early settlers of
that section; she was born January 30, 1868, and is survived by
her husband, J.L. Morgan, one son, W.L. Morgan of Plum, and two daughters, Mrs. H.T. (Leola) McColum of Paris and Mrs. T.H.(Martha) Johnson of Taylor; there are four grandchildren. Surviving also are three brothers, Jim Kirk of Duncan, Oklahoma, W.J. Kirk of Austin
and R. B. Kirk of Blackwell; three sisters, Mrs. Emma Horn of
Edna, Mrs. Addie Horn of Marton and Mrs. Eva Karnes of Hermleigh.
Reared in religious atmosphere, early in life becoming a member of
the Baptist Church, she remained steadfast; her sincere manifestations of interest in others less fortunate, ever doing for those who needed a staff, she was loved; white and colored neighbors were ever ready to do for her. In referring to her passing, the more than half a century of acquaintance mellows the thought; mention is respectfully made, without eulogy. The church
in which she worshipped in younger days, passed in service, with
the years. Aligning with and becoming a member of the Baptist Church
at La Grange, a pine board structure, she with her now bereaved
husband offered the motion, with funds, to have a new house of
worship erected in La Grange. “We would so like to have a church
of our faith to go to, and hope to see it built before we journey
on.” The new Baptist church stands at the west corner of Colorado
and Madison streets; Mrs. Morgan is the first to go to, the first
to be placed before the altar, surrounded by the silent messages
of love—beautiful flowers. As the roll is called, as the transition occurs, another leaves; aching hearts and lovely memories are encouraged; the latter an inspiration to those who are sincere.
May her rest be peaceful; she leaves a vacant chair, but her
influence for good, her devout life, cannot be effaced from the
minds of those who because of family ties, and those who loved
her for what good she did for others, loved her.