While teaching, Charlie Mae “May” Mencer Morris was known for her classroom chants to boost student self-esteem.
As a pastor’s wife, author and motivational speaker, she also worked to build up the spiritual self-worth of adults – encouraging them to follow their calling.
“She would say, ‘Step out there.’ She was so uplifting and kind,” said fellow New Growth Church member Angela Goodrum of Stockbridge. “Even if you faced a bad situation, she had comforting words. She encouraged me not to be afraid.”
Morris of Stockbridge died June 6 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 68. Her funeral was June 12 at Murray Brothers Cascade Chapel in Atlanta.
The daughter of a Baptist preacher, Morris was born Sept. 11, 1946, in Columbus, Ga. People noticed her gift of oratory and teaching early in life. She started public speaking at age 12 and teaching Sunday school as a teenager.
“She loved to talk about religious and social issues, even as a young person,” said her husband, the Rev. Roosevelt Morris of Stockbridge. “She was a great teacher and a talented speaker.”
After graduating from high school in 1964, Morris earned her bachelor’s degree at Paine College and master’s degree at the University of Georgia.
Her first job was as a staff administrator of student housing at the University of Indiana. She later returned to Georgia and spent the next three decades working as a teacher, social worker and counselor in public schools around the state.
While in the classroom, she led the students each morning in motivating mantras such as “I am a person of character” and “I am a person of value.”
As a counselor, she provided for students who needed a coat, a pencil or a word of encouragement while instilling the importance of good character and hard work.
“She was a good communicator with teachers and staff,” said retired teacher Leontine Bell of Stone Mountain, who taught at Smith-Barnes Elementary School in Henry County where Morris served as a counselor. “She was dedicated, always professional and determined to be there for whatever students needed.”
Whether in her role as school counselor or as church first lady, Morris always was willing to lend a hand or a listening ear to students and school staff or parishioners, said church member and former Smith-Barnes co-worker Janice McClendon of McDonough.
“Her counselor’s door was always open. She was the go-to person who always had a positive outlook on any situation,” McClendon said. “If she was sick or had to be out, she’d check on us at church to see if we had everything we needed. That’s dedication and faithfulness. I drew strength from her.”
After retiring from education in 2009, Morris focused on her ministry work.
She and her husband, a retired Methodist minister, started New Growth Church, a nondenominational congregation in Ellenwood, where he is pastor.
Morris also wrote three books: “Prayers That Get Answered,” “U Matter” and “Journey of a Preacher’s Wife – Views From a Road Well-Traveled.”
In addition to traveling for motivational speaking engagements, Morris was active in community outreach – donating food and clothing and assisting with rent and mortgage payments to help people keep their homes. She also served on the board of the Middle Georgia Girl Scout Council.
An avid bargain shopper, Morris enjoyed entertaining, decorating, reading and playing Scrabble. She continued the work and hobbies she loved throughout her 11-year fight against cancer.
“A lot of people did not realize she was sick. She did not complain, even up to the last moment,” her husband said. “I will miss our conversations on religious and social issues. She was a great partner, my best friend. She taught us how to live and how to transition.”
In addition to her husband, Morris is survived by her sons Eric Morris of Stockbridge and Robb Morris of Los Angeles; daughter Stacie Morris of Little Rock, Ark.; mother Bessie Lee Mencer of Union City; brother Walter Mencer of Columbus, Ga.; and sisters Thelma Reeves and Betty Livsey of Stone Mountain.
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