Rosie Maxine Morris

Rosie Maxine Morris was born May 30, 1927 in the Bear Creek community of San Jacinto County, Texas to Amos and Martha Alsobrooks. She passed away on October 3, 2024 at 97 years old. Rosie was the middle child in a family of eleven. Living on the farm during the Great Depression and World War II she learned the values of hard work, helping others, and sharing with those in need. 

While still in Cleveland High School, Rosie began her long work history. In the afternoons she worked at Galloway’s Drugstore. It was at that drugstore she met the love of her life, Don Morris. Upon graduation from high school in 1946, Rosie attended Massey Business College in Houston, Texas. She then worked a short time for a company in the Port of Houston Stockyards. From 1947 until 1977 Maxine (her preferred business name) worked as a stenographer at downtown Foley’s Department Store, taking time out only for the arrival of her daughter, Jo Ann. She retired for the first time in 1977 to enjoy her first and only grandchild, Curtis Lawson. 

Rosie couldn’t stay retired, taking a job for the Republic of Texas Savings Association for a couple of years. In 1980 she and Don moved to Bear Creek and remodeled the “Black Cat” schoolhouse where she enjoyed living among her family and friends. She then took a job as secretary of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce for a few years, when the opportunity arose to head the Cleveland Senior Citizens Organization. Maxine was the Executive Director from 1988 until March 2022 when she retired yet again at age 94. During her time at the Senior Center she spearheaded the building of the current facility on Peach Avenue, which has blessed many senior citizens with hot meals on site and with Meals on Wheels. The Cleveland community recognized Maxine with several awards over the years, including Cleveland Citizen of the Year. 

Maxine and Don were married for almost 59 years when he passed away in 2005. After his death she continue to work and to love on her family. Her family was very precious to her and she was always proud of them and their accomplishments. Although her immediate family was small (Jo Ann, Charles, Curtis, Amy, Caroline, Catherine and Charlotte), her extended family was quite large. Affectionately known as “Aunt Rosie” to many, including non-relatives, Rosie loved and cared for people. She and her ready smile and the white hair of her later years attracted many people. Rosie blessed many people with her generosity and willingness to listen and she will be greatly missed. 

Rosie accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age while attending Bear Creek Baptist Church. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland and loved her TEL Sunday School class. 

Rosie was preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Martha Alsobrooks; husband, Donald Morris; brothers, Morgan Alsobrooks, G.E. Alsobrooks, Alvin “Pete” Alsobrooks, Louis Alsobrooks, Amos Alsobrooks Jr, and Leroy “Buddy” Alsobrooks; sisters, Lula Yeager and Frances Yeager. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Jo Ann Lawson and her husband Charles Lawson; grandson, Curtis Lawson and his wife Amy Lawson; great-granddaughters, Caroline Lawson, Catherine Lawson, and Charlotte Lawson; brother, Ernest Alsobrooks; sister, Lucille Sweeten; along with many other family members and cherished friends.

Visitation will be in the Pace-Stancil Chapel on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 5pm-7pm. Her funeral will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Texas with Bro. Carl Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in the Bear Creek Cemetery.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers over these last three months. Special thanks to the staff at MRC Creekside Retirement Community in Huntsville, the Oasis Hospice staff and the loving care of Darlene Tubbs.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Maxine's name to Calvary Baptist Church or a charity of your choosing.