Mary Lang Morris

Mary Leanora Lang Morris, 92, of Saint Simons Island, Georgia went to heaven on November 15, 2022, after an extended illness. Her footprint on this earth was felt by so many and she will be truly missed, yet loved and celebrated. She was the epitome of southern grace and demonstrated a life of service and devotion to others.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Marie Way Lang and Hubert Ward Lang, founder of Lang Planing Mill; her brothers Hubert Ward Lang Jr. and Jack Francis Lang. She is survived by her dear sister, Lillian Lang Meyers, 95, of Pittsburg, PA.

Mary was born in Brunswick, Georgia on February 12, 1930. She graduated from Glynn Academy and then went on to the University of Georgia, where she studied veterinarian medicine and physical education. It was during her time at the University of Georgia that she met her late husband, Thomas Edward Morris of New Haven, Connecticut, a student at Emory University. They were married in Anderson, South Carolina in 1950.

She and her husband Tom started their married life in Brunswick Georgia, but subsequently moved to Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA with children being born in all of these three cities. In 1967, they officially resettled in Brunswick when Tom Morris started the first of three companies under the Morris Paper & Chemical Corporate flag. A few years later Mary and Tom moved the family residence to St. Simons Island and Mary has maintained her connection and love of the island for all the years preceding her death.

Mary was a well respected icon in the Brunswick/St. Simons community, always flashing her beautiful smile and was no stranger to anyone. She saw to it that everyone always felt special and welcome. “Well, hey there!” was an expression she gave enthusiastically to others. She will be most remembered for her gift of gab, wisdom and her leadership roles in multiple civic organizations and her desire to always be of service to others in need. She was indeed her family’s Matriarch.

Mary spent much of her time serving on the Altar Guild and the Vestry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick, as well as the Manna House, feeding the homeless. Mary took joy and happiness in serving and cooking for others in need. She also served on the Easter Seals Board of Directors and was a past President of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women, as well as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was the embodiment of God, Family and Country values and a strong American Patriot.

As a busy Mother of five, Mary was both a homemaker and a business woman as the right arm to her husband in their family business. As a result, she instilled in her children at a young age the value of a strong work ethic. Still, she made time to be present at the births of many of her grandchildren and volunteered to be whenever she was needed. She was an avid tennis player and taught her children to play tennis on

the courts of the Brunswick Recreation Center and Sea Palms Tennis & Golf Club. Mary was dedicated to St. Mark’s Episcopal church and attended church regularly along with her children for more than 55 years.

As a grandmother, she always told her grandchildren how loved they were and made sure they felt special. Also, she made sure to always tell them to be a good citizen. Her grandchildren felt her presence daily and delighted in their visits to Grandma’s special home. Their fondest memories of her are the many times she took them crabbing in the waters off St. Simons Island and bringing the crabs back to her house where she would prepare a crab feast.

Mary was also known for her love of animals, likely due to her childhood and her desire to be a veterinarian. She knew that all God’s creatures were special and her home was always home to cats and dogs throughout the years. Her last dog and constant companion, a sweet Yorkie called Emmeline, was by her side when she died and will certainly miss her.

Mary is survived by her five loving children; Thomas Morris Jr, Atlanta, GA; Michael Morris, Brunswick, GA; Virginia (Morris) Nye, Roswell, GA; Stephen Morris, Sarasota, Fl; and Mary Beth Morris, Folsom, CA.

She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Tommy Morris III, Kimberly Morris Koltai, Christopher Morris, Timothy Morris, Layla Hapney, Cole Morris, Brandon Nye, Falon Nye, Emerson Morris, MacKenzie Morris, Adam Esmael, Amanda Esmael and Alliya Esmael and preceded in death by one grandchild, Mitchel Morris. She also has 16 adoring great-grandchildren: Thomas Morris IV, Lundon Morris, Tristen Morris, Lincoln Morris, Connor Koltai, Kailan Koltai, Coen Koltai, Keegan Koltai, Ayden Morris, Nolan Morris, Aspen Morris, Patrick Shirah, Roxanna Watson, Steven Watson, James Hapney, Tayla Hapney, Sydney Nye and Brody Nye and one great great grandchild, Liam Asher Shirah. She was also very close and loved all of her nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, welcoming her home to all and hosting her many famous annual holiday parties and oyster roasts. Mary’s motto was “the more the merrier” and treated everyone who came into her home like family and was always happy to add another plate to the table.

Funeral arrangements will be provided by Edo Miller & Sons and a visitation viewing will be held Friday, Oct, 25th from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 2 p.m. at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick, Georgia, followed by her burial service at Evergreen Cemetery. All friends and family are so very welcome and encouraged to attend.

Flowers should be sent to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and donations in Mary’s name can be made to the Humane Society at humanesociety.org or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at https/alzfdn.org and both forms of tribute are appreciated. www.edomillerandsons.com