Gilda Fay Pritchard Morrison
Our beloved matriarch and the rock of our family Gilda Fay Pritchard Morrison, 91, went into the arms of Jesus on May 20th, 2024 at her home in Denham Springs. “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:28-29. Fay was born on October 28th, 1932 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana and was a proud graduate of Istrouma High School Class of 1951. She married the love of her life Ed Morrison and moved to Virginia where she became a mother and a navy wife. In October 1952 Fay and Ed returned to Louisiana and settled down in Baton Rouge and Fay went to work as a hairdresser. She owned a beauty shop for 17 years where she made several lifelong friends. Later she retired from Blue Cross where she spent 25 years working in many departments and completed her career as a corporate training coordinator. She was the President of the local Baton Rouge Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. Fay was a wonderful mother and succeeded in life through raising 3 boys and operating 2 family businesses with her husband of 62 years. Aside from her own career she served as the backbone of JM Test Systems owned and operated by her husband Ed for over 30 years before it was passed down to her sons. Fay was also a great cook and made the best lemon meringue pie, banana pudding, and blueberry cobbler on earth! Fay was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother known to her dearest grands as Memaw. She was a strong woman of faith and active member of Hebron Baptist Church for 46 years where she served in many ministries from teaching Sunday school to hosting bible studies and volunteering for numerous church events. She loved life, traveling, experiencing new places and most importantly spending time with family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all.
She is survived by her three loving sons, Cliff Morrison, wife Sandy, Jace Morrison, Scott Morrison, wife Cindy; beloved grandchildren, Brad Morrison, wife Jennifer, Jennifer Morrison Weber, husband Micah, Bryan Morrison, wife Jodi, Amber Morrison, Brittany Morrison, and Ashley Bennett Shilling; cherished great-grandchildren, Taylor, Gavin, Ella, Carson, Harper, Hallie, Cameron, and Finn; sister-in-laws, Sandy Pritchard, Judy Mathes, husband David, Jeanne Adamson, Marilyn Morrison; brother-in-laws, Charles “Sonny” Newson and Alton Sziber; extended family, Shawn Lantier and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceded in death by her husband, Edward C. Morrison, Jr.; parents, Kevlin “Ted” Clifford Pritchard and Ruby Thomas Pritchard; sister, Shirley Callender, husband Jimmy; brother, Merlin Pritchard; brother and sister-in-laws, Edison “Boog” & Maxine Morrison, Bill & Marie “Tea” Hershey, Art & Ruth “Skay” Frazier, JL & Janice Morrison, Frank Morrison, Phyllis Newsom, Patricia Sziber; and many other dear friends and extended family.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 25th, 2024 from 9 am to 12 pm at Hebron Baptist Church, 24063 LA Hwy 16, Denham Springs, LA 70726. Services will begin at 12 pm, conducted by Pastor Travis Cronan. She will be laid to eternal rest at Evergreen Memorial Park.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Fay’s caregivers DeeDee, Za’Myiah, Nikki, Armani, Patricia and longtime physician Dr. West. A special thanks to Kathy Abadie whose support over the last 2 years was invaluable.