Dr. Stewart Morris, Sr. and the love of his life, Joella Mitchell Morris (deceased 2013) were involved in all sorts of things in the community that had to do with church, education, history, art, as well as horse drawn vehicles. He was the last surviving founder of Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University which started in 1960, and he stayed intimately involved with the growth and financial needs of HCU for the rest of his life. Joella founded the Museum of Southern History, now located on the HCU campus in the Joella and Stewart Morris Center for Cultural Arts. Stewart also led the effort to establish the HCU Morris Family Center for Law and Liberty which teaches the constitution and “founding father principles” including the concept of Free Enterprise. The Center is now based in the new Independence Hall on campus, patterned after the original building in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were hammered out and adopted.
Stewart had daily Bible study, regularly cited memorized scripture, which became the guiding principles for his life, carrying a small Bible with him always. His personal sayings were based on the Bible, “Work as unto the Lord” and not for yourself, company or people; “do right,” “Do not be wise in your own eyes but acknowledge Him in all your ways.” Trade fear for faith from the boldness in Christ (not personal arrogance) which leads to confidence and give God the glory.
Stewart is survived by his children; Carlotta Coffman ‘68, Stewart Morris Jr. and his wife, Joy, and Lisa Simon ‘76 and her husband Jerry; 8 grandchildren; Vanessa Zein-Eldin and her husband David, Danielle Alvarado and her husband Mike, Joellan Mullen ‘00 and her husband Chris, Faith Morris ‘13, Grace Morris and her husband Luke Schlitz, Stewart Morris III, Camella Clements, and her husband Brad Moore, and Glenn Clements Jr. and his wife Jennifer; 10 great grandchildren: Cameron Zein-Eldin, Joanna Zein-Eldin, Isabella Alvarado, Ryan Mullen, Jackson Mullen, Connor Clements, Penelope Bryant, Amelia Clements, Wylie Moore, and Minya Clements.
If you would like to pay tribute to Dr. Morris’ life and legacy, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: The Morris Family Center for Law and Liberty at Houston Christian University, Attn: Office of
Advancement, P.O Box 4897, Dept. # 527, Houston, Texas 77210. HC.edu/giving.