LaVerne Carlisle Morrison

LaVerne was born in Onalaska, Texas, and graduated from Center High School at age16. She and her mother, Mary Tomme Carlisle, borrowed the money for college tuition. She received undergraduate degrees from Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State Teachers College, and the University of Houston. She received her MLS from the University of Texas. Her thesis, “State Adopted Textbooks Grades 1-3 Subject Index” was published by the Texas Education Agency in 1950 and became the standard work in Texas and most other states for 20 years.

She was librarian and music teacher at Wooldridge Elementary School from 1950 to 1966 when she became a state librarian for the T.E.A.

She was a sweet woman of profound faith, exceptionally intelligent, curious, industrious, fearless, patient, thoughtful, generous, forgiving, resourceful, indomitable, strong-willed, a good steward of everything, and a great cook. She was loved by all throughout her life.

She is survived by her children Sammye Kathryn Morrison of Alexandria, VA., William Autry Morrison, Jr. of Austin; her grandsons Thomas and Jeffrey Johnson, and her great-grandchildren Moira Lindholm and Tyler Johnson, her sister Thora Carlisle of Leander, and her step children, Wesley, Sadye, and Nolan Morrison. She was predeceased by her daughter Olivia Morrison Ray, her parents Arthur and Mary Carlisle, her brother Osborne “Sonbud” Carlisle, and her sister Arlene Price.

A memorial service will be held at The Sanctuary at 2614 Exposition Blvd. Austin, 1:30 p.m. Saturday December 18, 2010.