Dr. Woodie Morrison

Woodie was born in Mexia, Texas to Frank Morrison, Sr. and Rosella Hamilton-Morrison on March 12, 1932.  Only a few months old, his biological mother tragically passed away.  Shortly after, he, and his five siblings lived in different homes until his father met and married Christina, who was affectionately called “Madea.”  Woodie attended public school in Mexia and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1950.  Following high school, he lived with his older sister, Wille Mae Kelly in Ft. Worth. Through his sister’s influence, Woodie obeyed the gospel.

While there in the Ft. Worth area, Woodie was surrounded by a great loud of witnesses, namely, Drs. J.S. Winston, Sr., G.E. Stewart, Grover C. Washington, and S.T.W. Gibbs, II.  Through their guidance, Woodie became one of the first ministerial students to attend Southwestern Christian College.  There, he was very active in the chorus, student government and ministerial studies. He graduated from Southwestern in 1954.

For the next 67 years, Woodie dedicated his life in sacrificial service for the cause of Christ throughout America, Jamaica, and Haiti.  During his long-standing ministry, he humbly and faithfully served a number of congregations in Texas, Ohio, and California.  His labor was marked by an emphasis on sound biblical teaching, soul-winning, continuing education, encouragement of younger ministers, civic engagement, and civil service. 

Notedly during his time of service, Woodie was instrumental in breaking racial barriers through his employment and matriculation at Pepperdine University in the 1970’s, and the organization of the historic Human Relations Summit of 1968 in Dayton, OH.  A partial transcript of the summit can be found in the only book he authored entitled, The Shaping of a Brotherhood.  Additionally, for many years, Woodie served as a director of personal evangelism for the historic Los Angeles Campaign for Christ while serving in the same capacity at the Figueroa church under the mentorship of the late Dr. R.N. Hogan.

In the 1980’s, he served in the same capacity for the Dallas Campaign for Christ while leading the Cherry Valley church.  In Woodie’s last twenty plus years of ministry, he sacrificially labored with the Sixth Avenue Church of Christ in Mineral Wells, TX, while co-founding and leading the foundation named after another great influence, Dr. J.S. Winston, Sr.

In addition to his gratitude for the privilege of serving in the Kingdom, Woodie took great pride in his family.  Out of the bonds of holy matrimony to Dorothy (Ronnie, Kenneth [who preceded him in death] and Vickie) and Anne (Jonathan), Woodie was blessed to raise and love four children whom he cherished.  As a beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Woodie also encouraged his family to pursue a faithful life in Christ and a life of excellence in the world.

Woodie leaves to treasure his memory; three children, Ronnie, Victoria, and Jonathan (Lataria); nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends, including his dear friend, Rosiland.

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