Claudine Morgan

Claudine Riggins Morgan, 100, passed away June 20, 2014. The oldest of five siblings, Claudine was born in Stamps, Arkansas, on March 6, 1914, to John Franklin and Laura Sledge Riggins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold Morgan, brother Col. Jack F. Riggins, and sister Dot Riggins Landes. She is survived by her sister Francille Riggins Seymour of Hot Springs, Arkansas; brother Bill Riggins and Gloria of Hot Springs; son Hal Morgan and Linda of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son Rig Morgan and Mary Ann of Austin, Texas; and son Rod Morgan of Quinlan, Texas. Claudine is also survived by grandsons Sledge Morgan and Katherine, Jack Morgan and Nicole, and Jim Morgan, all of Albuquerque, and Brooks Morgan of Austin; and by great-grandchildren Calvin, Emily, Alice, and Maggie Morgan of Albuquerque. Claudine is also survived by many close nieces, nephews, and friends.

A life-long teacher, Claudine became an educator because her mother advocated for education in the early 1900s. Claudine grew up in Buckner, Arkansas, and attended school in nearby Stamps. She attended Magnolia A&M and graduated from Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, earning a BA in English. She earned a Master's in Natural Science from the University of Arkansas and continued studying at SMU.

Claudine began teaching sixth grade in Stephens, Arkansas, where she met her husband. They married in 1939 and moved to Magnolia, Arkansas, where her sons were born. She taught chemistry and biology in Magnolia for 15 years and moved to Dallas in 1957. Claudine taught general science for one year at DISD’s S.S. Conner Junior High and biology for 26 years at Thomas Jefferson High School. She received the Ross Perot Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1983 and retired at 70 in 1984.

Claudine taught in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s outdoor education program for six more years. She also traveled to unique biological habitats, studying the local flora and fauna--the Galapagos Islands; Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador; Chile; Argentina; seals in the Alaskan Bering Sea’s Pribilof Islands; and penguins and snow seals in Antarctica. She made a grand tour of Europe as well. When not traveling, Claudine volunteered at the American Heart Association and the Museum of Natural History.

Claudine was active throughout her life with Highland Park United Methodist Church, especially her 2X2 Sunday school class and United Methodist Women’s Circle 9. She was also active for 58 years in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honorary society of women educators. For 27 years she participated in the Philanthropic Education Organization. Claudine enjoyed bridge groups, book clubs, theater, and symphony. She remained in her home until she was 98 and then moved to the Monticello West assisted living facility where she received excellent care.

Memorial services will be at Cox Chapel, Highland Park United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 26 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps on a later date. Memorials may be made to Claudine's 2x2 Sunday school class at HPUMC, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205, or to Individual Care of Texas, Inc., P.O. Box 1810, Quinlan, Texas 75474.