Patricia Ann Bias Morrison

Patricia Ann Porter
June 27, 1961 – August 31, 2025
Patricia Ann Porter was born on June 27, 1961, in Demopolis, Alabama, to Johnnie and Bettina Porter.
As a toddler, she moved with her family to Chicago, a city she would adore for the rest of her life. There, she attended Frank L. Gillespie Elementary School and John Marshall Harlan High School, forging lifelong friendships and creating cherished memories.
Pat went on to attend Indiana State University, where she met and married Morris Bias, Jr. Together, they had five children: Shantel, Morris III, John, David, and Shelby. Motherhood was Pat's greatest joy and calling. After her divorce, she remained fiercely devoted to raising her children and supporting their dreams-whatever they were.
She was a constant presence in their lives: attending recitals, plays, competitions, spelling bees, science fairs, and sporting events; chaperoning field trips; and volunteering at schools, studios, gyms, and ball fields. She spent countless hours driving her children-and many of their friends, whom she considered to be her children, too-to practices, rehearsals, parties, theaters, and malls.
Despite her busy schedule, she always made time to connect with each child individually. She had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and loved. Whether it was a handwritten note tucked into a backpack, textbook, or left on a pillow-each signed "Mommy" and adorned with her signature happy face sketch-Pat never missed a chance to offer love, encouragement, and affirmation. She had a remarkable intuition for knowing when someone needed a little extra support, and she offered it freely. She wanted those around her to always know they were loved and that they mattered.
Pat took great pride in her work, always giving her best while remaining a steady source of strength for her family and friends. It was while at work in 1999 that she met Brian Morrison, who would become her partner and devoted co-parent. She continued to rise professionally, eventually working as an account executive for a major vision insurance carrier.
In 2010, Pat was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next 15 years, she waged a courageous battle-one defined by grace, determination, and an unwavering commitment to living fully.
Despite the challenges she faced, Pat continued to thrive. She attended concerts and Alvin Ailey performances, enjoyed dinners with friends, traveled, lived in her dream condo, spent time out of state, welcomed three beloved grandchildren, and built her dream home with Brian. She returned to college, where she discovered her passion for Africana and media studies, and social justice. And through it all, she continued nurturing the people she loved-even as she finally began nurturing dreams of her own.
Patricia's journey came to a triumphant close on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Bettina Porter.
She is survived by her husband, Brian Morrison; her children, Shantel (Derek) Schmale, Morris (Laurie) Bias III, John (Christina) Bias, David Bias, and Shelby (Matthew) Bias; her cherished grandchildren, Wyatt Porter Schmale, Porter Lee Bias, and Nevin Julian Bias; her sister Pamela Porter; her brother Jeffery (Ronda) Porter; her niece Lauren Porter; her nephew John Anthony Porter; her aunts Sara Bodie and Earnestine Howard; and a host of extended family and friends whose lives she touched with her love and light, and who touched her life with the same.
Details for the Celebration of Life will be shared by the family at a later date.