Mary Jackson Morgan

Mary Lucretia Jackson Morgan, 86, passed away on the summer morning of June 20, 2026, surrounded by love. Born in Monroe, Louisiana, on September 11, 1939, Mary spent a lifetime collecting stories, loving her family and pets fiercely, and making sure nobody forgot where they came from.

While it is impossible to summarize a life this big in a few paragraphs, I’ll do my best.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Billy Don Morgan; her mother, Margaret Jackson; her grandson, Chase Anthony Morgan; and her beloved dog, Gilly. She is survived by her daughters, Chelsea Morgan Humphreys and Terry Lynn Morgan Underwood; her son in law, David Humphreys; her grandchildren, Eli Humphreys and Emelyn Humphreys; and so many family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Mary never lacked an opinion, a story, or someone to worry about. She was funny, fiercely loyal, devoted, and stubborn as hell.

She loved crocheting, sewing, family stories, and a good adventure. She never met a project she couldn’t tackle or a situation she couldn’t improve by explaining the right way to do it. She spent a lifetime creating beautiful things with her hands and taking care of the people she loved.

She was also the keeper of our family history. Long before genealogy websites existed, Mary already knew who was related to whom, where they came from, and what really happened. If there was a family story to tell, she knew it. If there was a mystery to solve, she was already working on it.

Some of the moments that best capture Mary’s spirit include learning to fly airplanes alongside her husband Bill simply because it sounded fun, sewing clothes for her daughter, including a beautiful prom dress, caring for Bill through his battle with Parkinson’s disease, and sharing stories that connected generations of our family. She loved traveling, especially adventures with Bill, and found great joy in being surrounded by the people she loved.

Most of all, she loved her family.

She loved her grandchildren.

She loved David.

She loved Bill.

She loved her animals. Especially Gilly.

And she loved me.

I never doubted that for a single day.

And if you are reading this and were loved by her, you know as well.

My mom never could understand how I couldn’t keep a plant alive.

“Just touch the dirt, Chelsea.”

But somehow the daughter who couldn't keep a fern alive figured out how to take care of her. I like to think that would make her smile.

If there is one lesson my mom taught me, it is that love is not something you say. It is something you do.

She stayed.

Through every season, every heartbreak, every celebration, and every ordinary day in between.