SAN ANGELO, Texas — Susan Steers Morris died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at the age of 90.
According to a press release from Historic Murals of San Angelo, in 1997, Morris returned to her Texas roots and brought her passion for civic duty and an extensive background in the development of city enhancement projects.
Her inspiration, Historic Murals of San Angelo (HMSA), soon became a reality. To date there are 14 murals in the downtown San Angelo area.
In 2002, "The History of Transportation in San Angelo", painted by artist Crystal Goodman became the first mural sponsored by Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc. Both Goodman and Stylle Read have painted the rest of them.
Sixteen major donors contributed the necessary funding as well as numerous individuals throughout the community. Their donations and the growing support of the community allowed HMSA to demonstrate how historic murals could enhance San Angelo.
With Morris' leadership and the assistance of the board of directors, and community contributors, 13 historic murals followed. Information on the murals is available on the HMSA website, historicmuralsofsanangelo.org
Morris was the recipient of several honors including the Spirit of San Angelo awarded by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce in 2009, and the Santa Angela award which recognizes and pays tribute to women who have contributed to the well- being of our city.
Morris advocated for the protection and preservation of West Texas history in the City of San Angelo.
Here is Morris' obituary provided by Historic Murals of San Angelo:
Susan Steers Morris of San Angelo, Texas, passed away peacefully at Lyndale Home on November 4.
Susan was best known in her adopted home town as the driving force behind “Historic Murals of San Angelo,” scenes from the city’s rich frontier history that adorn fourteen downtown walls.
In 2010, the Chamber of Commerce presented Historic Murals the “Spirit of San Angelo Award,” and the Murals won 2014’s “Best of San Angelo” award in the community organizations category.
Before moving to San Angelo she created the “Idea House, Retail and Wholesale Crafts” business in Baton Rouge and, later, “Southern Comfort Bed & Breakfast Reservation Service” which made the trip with her to San Angelo in 1997.
She was born on Christmas Eve, 1929, to Lucille Garvey Steers and Phillip John Steers in Detroit, Michigan but was raised in Kansas City, Missouri.
She attended high school in Big Spring, Texas, and there began a lifelong best friendship with Vivien Buckner.
Susan graduated from Texas Christian University in Ft Worth, in 1950 and soon after
met and married Russell L. Morris. The marriage lasted until 1975.
Russell’s military service and his job required several moves and accordingly, the couple and growing family lived in Huntsville, Alabama, Ft Worth, Texas, Tulsa Oklahoma and Brookhaven, Mississippi, before settling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1963.
Along the way, she and Russell had five children, all of whom survive her.
They are Steven Carter Morris of Manhattan, NY; Sandra Leigh Morris of San Angelo, TX; Scott Wayne Morris and his wife, Janette, of New Freedom, Pennsylvania; Bradley Allen Morris and his wife, Dr Sonia Burlingame of Tomball, Texas, and Vivian Morris Kramer and her husband, David of Nobleboro, Maine.
Her five Grandchildren are Nicole Morris Morson and her husband Ryan of Philadelphia, PA Capt Lee Ryan Morris, USAF, and his wife Alexandra of Kettering Ohio, Casey Ann Morris of New Freedom, Pennsylvania, Trent Alan Morris and Ford Bradley Morris of Tomball, Texas.
Her three Great Grandchildren are Anson John Morson and McLane Russell Morson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Adriana Lucille Morris of Kettering Ohio.
Susan loved her family and her adopted home of San Angelo.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Historic Murals of San Angelo.
A Memorial Service will be help at a future date.
