Barbara Ellen Morgan

Barbara Ellen Knox Morgan passed away peacefully on August 31st. Born in Cleburne, Texas, on February 4, 1931, to Ruth Lynn Knox and Dr. Marshall Tomson Knox, she attended Cleburne schools. As a teenager, she contracted polio. Although the disease left its mark on her, she never let it define her. After high school, she attended Texas Christian University. On April 5, 1952, she married James Harris Morgan and moved to Greenville.
Barbara was well-known in the community for her extensive involvement in various organizations, including the Standard Club and the Herb Society, and the Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum. She and Harris were deeply involved in the Entertainment Series, and the Dallas Symphany Series. She hosted many post-concert dinners where they entertained numerous musical celebrities who visited Greenville. Barbara and Harris were avid entertainers. This gift of gathering people and creating memorable experiences was instilled in their children.
Barbara was a member of the Grace United Presbyterian Church. She was on the building committee that helped produce a beautiful place of worship, thoughtfully designed, complete with outstanding Casebier stained glass. Additionally, she was the church's first female deacon, a member of the Women's Circle, and served many years on the Session. She was long time Director of the Church Choir and left her legacy by creating an extensive library of choral music.
With her children all in school, Barbara decided to return to her education, developing the artistic talents that ran in her father's family. She attended East Texas State University and earned her BS in Music and Master's degrees in Art and Sculpture. Her sculpture entitled ''Two Part Harmony,'' located at the corner of Wesley and Stanford Streets, was her first large scale sculpture. Watercolor painting and sculpting clay were favorite mediums for her, and she enjoyed studying at the Sorbonne and under renowned artists like Dong Kingman and Glenna Goodacre.
Barbara was a Docent at the Dallas Art Museum for 10 years. These were happy times, filled with constant learning about new exhibits and sharing her knowledge with the many patrons she led on tours.
Barbara was a voracious reader, always on the lookout for a new author to dive into. As her eyesight grew worse, she discovered the Kindle, appreciating its adjustable font size which made reading easier. Her children were relieved that she embraced ebooks, as this meant they would not have to build more bookshelves.
Barbara instilled in her children the importance of faith and good friendships. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband J. Harris Morgan, and their son Marshall Benton Morgan. Barbara is survived by her children: Lynn Johnston and her husband Jim of Boise, Idaho; Brian Morgan and his wife Julie of Heath, Texas. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Morgan Cornwall, Joshua Johnston, Ellen Acton, Hamrick Morgan, and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family is especially grateful to Kenie Blunt for her exceptional loving care, which allowed Barbara to remain at home with her beloved kitty-exactly where she wanted to be.
Celebration of life will be held Oct. 24, at United Presbyterian Church 5905 Stonewall St. Greenville, Tx at 4 pm.