Patsy Ruth Morgan

Patsy Ruth Morgan of Tampa, Florida, 75, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. Many knew her as Pat, some fondly referred to her as “Rudy” and others knew her as Patsy. Regardless of the name used to capture her attention, her free-spirited, sassy personality was always present. Pat was born on Oct. 1st, 1942 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi to Augusta Mae Daniel Morgan and Sam Pole Morgan, Sr. Pat began living her life as the third of eleven children. Her two eldest siblings included two sisters, Libby and Jima. After Pat, her four brothers were born, further defining her role as older sister, sometimes ‘mother’, caretaker, shield, defender and interference to keep the boys from getting into too much trouble. Brothers, Robert, Kenny, Sam and Charlie kept her busy, there is no doubt. Pat often found refuge from the busyness of their activities next to a tree with a book in hand. She was not afraid of the outdoors, being alone and often enjoyed the quiet of solitude. Her creativity and confidence stemmed from her place in the order of eleven and crafted a keen ability to stand on her own. Her family was always her greatest love and she would have done or given anything she could for/to anyone one of them (now 97 people and growing). Pat’s family grew with the addition of her only child, Zebrah LaDahn, who became the complete focus of her life. Zebrah’s name is a shining example of both Pat’s confidence and creativity. She didn’t mind walking straight up to the lines and challenging the status quo; never in pursuit of breaking laws, but rules were always up for discussion. As a single mother for most of her life, Pat took charge and created a beautiful life for she and her daughter. Moving to Texas from Mississippi with almost nothing, she settled in Plano, Texas near her sister, Jima, her husband and their three children, Margaret, Howie and Debbi. Although Zebrah was an only child, this move paved the way for this only child to inherit three siblings and bonds never to be broken. Using connections gained in her professional setting and the support of friends and family in Texas, Pat decided to open a ‘carpet store’. This decision proved to be a wise and valuable one as she grew the business to a thriving full service flooring business, garnering the trust and business of many builders and customers. Many of her relationships were formed during this season, including meeting and marrying her second husband, Naxey Davis. Many of these relationships lasted a lifetime. The recession in the 80’s hit the building industry hard in Texas and Pat faced a challenging decision and suddenly the business she built over more than a decade was in jeopardy. As a testament to Pat’s character and strength, instead of filing liens on houses she had serviced under contracts with her builder friends, she valued the personal relationships over the professional ones and closed the doors on the carpet store she loved. Pat went on to become a successful salesperson in the furniture industry after moving to Tampa, Florida in 2002 to be near her daughter, son-in law and two beloved grandchildren. In 2010, Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease which ushered her into a whole new season of life. While adjustments were made, she never lost her free-spirit, capacity to love greatly and sassy personality. Pat and her family lived together in Florida for 15 years where she watched her grandchildren grow up, living with them in the everyday and loving them well. The adoration Pat felt for her daughter now extended to her son-in-law and two ‘perfect’ grandchildren. While Pat faced the disease head on, her concern was always for her immediate family and brothers and sisters and the impact of her disease on them. She grew more loving and more compassionate as her disease progressed and left a mark on many people through it all. Pat loved people…her family, her friends, and anyone who loved her family and friends. She taught many the fullness of love and how to practice grace. Both love and grace were among her strongest attributes. Pat leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughter, Zebrah LaDahn Stillman Jahnke; son-in-law, Jeffrey Scott Jahnke; granddaughter, Reed LaDahn Jahnke; and, grandson, Cross Jeffrey Morgan Jahnke, all of Wesley Chapel, Florida. Patsy was blessed with a large family full of love and constant encouragement. The Patriarch and Matriarch of the family, Sam Pole Morgan, Sr. and Augusta Mae Morgan, passed away in 1986 and 2012, respectively. Pat joins her parents and leaves behind six sisters and three brothers, seven sisters- and brothers-in-law, 36 nieces and nephews and 37 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her Parents; Sam Pole and Augusta Mae Morgan of Sturgis, Mississippi; her brother-in-law, Walter Cecil Harrison Jr. of New Albany, Mississippi; her husband, Naxey Earl Davis of Celeste, Texas; her nieces, Margaret Ann Johnson Nichols and Debrah Lea Johnson, of Plano, Texas; her brother-in-law, Howard Johnson of Murphy, TX; and, brother, Kenneth Edward Morgan of Starkville, Mississippi. She leaves a legacy that will be forever remembered. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to collect donations for the home that provided wonderful and compassionate care for Patsy during the last year of her life. Part of their mission is to make quality care available to those who could not otherwise afford it. We are aware of immediate and direct needs and want to fulfill some of those in Pat’s honor. Any donations above and beyond those needs will be donated to the Byrd Institute for Alzheimer’s Research in Tampa. GoFundMe link: https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/patmorgan Words of comfort may be expressed for Patsy’s family by clicking “Share a Memory”.