When faced with a problem, join a committee or stop complaining.
That was the good-hearted advice Helen Morriss gave friends in her community, said longtime friend Jimi Taylor of Lilburn.
Morriss knew a thing or two about committees, frequently serving on boards in the Lilburn city government.
“She didn’t talk about it; she made it happen,” Taylor said.
Morriss worked to better her community because she deeply cared for others, friends said.
“When I think of a community servant, it’s Helen Morriss,” said Diana Preston, former mayor of Lilburn. “She gave her all for her community, and she balanced it with her family, too.”
Helen Morriss died Monday after a seven-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 80. A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Friday at Bill Head Funeral Home chapel in Tucker; the funeral home also was handling cremation arrangements.
A third-generation native of Norcross, Morriss learned the value of public service at a young age. Her parents were involved in civic organizations and her father provided Norcross its first firetruck through his work with the Atlanta Army Depot.
She served as secretary for the state veterinarian in the Georgia Department of Agriculture, managing the office.
During her time at the state Capitol, her son Alan Smith of Lilburn remembers fondly attending many Braves games with his mother. They were at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium the night in 1978 that Gene Garber ended Pete Rose’s attempt to break the record for consecutive base hits.
She didn’t like Rose, Smith remembers. She thought him a showoff.
Morriss was anything but a showoff.
“She very rarely did anything public,” Preston said. “(She) always worked behind the scenes to gain some common ground. She had tremendous respect.”
Upon retirement, Morriss immersed herself in public service in Lilburn, serving at various times as a member of the City Council, the Gwinnett Planning Commission and the Lilburn Planning Commission, as well as several committees and initiatives. She served on the Downtown Development Authority until her death.
“She was certainly a community leader, but she was also a very dear (community) member,” Preston said.
Morriss would drop anything to help out a friend, Taylor said. She helped bring Relay for Life to Lilburn when she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment. In a show of support, 50 of Morriss’ friends sported purple wigs, and they have donned purple attire at every relay since. They call themselves “the Purple Gang.”
Morriss also was dedicated to her extended family, which included a Norwegian exchange student, Smith said. She curated their memories in a cookbook and a scrapbook filled with family history, dating back to Morriss’ one-legged Granddaddy Jack, who traveled the country by wagon.
“She was an inspiring person,” Preston said. “We need more people like her to make communities healthy and vibrant.”
Morriss also is survived by her husband of 43 years, Charles George Morriss of Lilburn; sons Robert Morriss of Lilburn and Charles Morriss of San Fransisco; daughter Connie Morriss of San Fransisco; and four grandchildren.
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