Athalone Z. Morrow

"I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course; the Lord has given me a crown of righteousness and not only to me, but to all who love His appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8. "It is well with my soul!" A devoted and cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend to all, she was born Dec. 14, 1925, in Franklinton, and rose to new life in Jesus' loving, waiting arms at 2:07 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at her home. As a member of Grace Family Church (formerly Bethel Temple, People's Church, Baton Rouge Christian Center), for 58 years, she served through the years with great diligence in many capacities, some of which included Sunday school teacher, prayer chain captain, foreign and home missions, church secretary, ladies organizations, fundraising committees and nursery care giver. Her hands were always busy about her "Father's" business with unceasing great joy. She was formerly employed with Crawford Corp. and Swift and Co. and did volunteer work. She is survived by three daughters and their spouses, Kathaleen M. and Ronald J. Langlois, Linda M. and Emmanuel J. Bourgeois Sr., and Nelda Jo M. and William "Bill" Strait; a son, Michael Glenn Morrow and dearest friend Carolyn Miller; grandchildren and spouses, Bryan Scott and Ami Slaton, Philip Blayne Slaton, Kevin Glenn Slaton and fiancée Tiffany Ross, Jody Paul Hilliard, Bruce Lee Hilliard and fiancée Ellene Brown, Jason and Sheila Hilliard, William Strait II and fiancée April Zimmerle, Dottie Strait and Roger Gueldner, Lesa Bourgeois, Tracie and Emmanuel J. Bourgeois Jr., Stacey and Greg Roy, and Troy and Tammy Bourgeois; great-grandchildren, Brittany Slaton, Briley and Laci Slaton, Madison Slaton, Carter Hilliard, Cassidy Beathard, Katelyn Beathard, Nathan Gueldner, Madison Strait, Kenny Gaudet Jr., Ashley and Jessica Bourgeois, Cameron Bourgeois, Jessica Eli, Shawn Hodges, Samantha and husband Joshua Cox, Christina and Bridgett Roy, and Colby Bourgeois; great-great-grandchildren, Sarah and Brayden Cox and Skye Roy; brothers and sisters and their spouses, Della Zachary, J.B. and Elsie Zachary, Mack and Faye Zachary, Eloise and Bob Keating, LaDonice and Calvin Wells, Billy and Mary Zachary, and Jewette and Gaynell Asford; sister-in-law, Dora P. Morrow, Melville, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Loretta and Anthony Montalbano, Milwaukee, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 55 years, Joseph Morrow Jr.; parents, Reamey and Ophelia Givens Zachary; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Annie Ceravolo Morrow and Joseph Morrow Sr.; sisters and brothers-in-law Rita and Ila M. Bullock, and Marguerite and W.O. Bergeron; brother Houston Zachary; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Nattie and Sam Morrow; and brothers-in-law Paul Morrow and Tony J. Morrow. We are forever grateful to Dr. Kyle Dean, the staff of Greenwell Springs Medical Center, staff and caregivers of Hospice In His Care, especially Ivy Holt, Jeanette Roulston, Dr. Mark Kantrow, Debbie Swaggart, Kacie Gatte, Kim Blanchard, Alicia Chapman, Brenda McKenzie, Nettie Collins, Paris Stelly, Chase Home Health and staff. Special thanks to Idola Ball and neighbors of Mrs. Morrow who were invaluable to her care. Loving thanks for longtime friendships of Ruth and J.D. Zeigler, Bonnie and Earl Soulier, Dot and Dudley O'Neal, Idola and Doyle Ball, and Mazy and Gerald Rogers; and cherished friends, Rich and Janell Campbell, Mary and Steve Cartee, Jessica Copsey, Kenny and Loretta David, Dot and Ken Dunkin, Charles and Peggy Grace, Bonnie and Brent Haymon, Lynne Hennessy, Shawn and Jennifer Smith, Ron and Judy Turner, Dianne and Joe Weems, and all her brothers and sisters in Christ. Special thanks to Claudia Murphy and Robin and Randall Walker whose love of the Lord and their anointed musical talents always inspired worship and praise, for that is where the Lord desires us to dwell. Pallbearers will be her son, Michael G. Morrow; grandsons, Scott Slaton, Kevin Slaton, Jody Hilliard, Bruce Hilliard; and son-in-law, Emmanuel Bourgeois. Honorary pallbearers are Blayne Slaton, William Strait and Ken Dunkin. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, April 4, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Ron Turner, the Rev. Richard L. Holland, and Ted Wells, pastor. Entombment in Greenoaks Memorial Park Mausoleum. She was a precious woman of God whose deep, abiding faith and love served family, friends and strangers with Christ-like love, words of encouragement and a smile, which will be forever missed.