Tracy Laural Morrison

Tracy Laural Stone Morrison, after carrying her body as far as she could, departed this life Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at home in Crawford, surrounded by family and the love of all her friends across the twined distances of illness, space, and time. She desired to be cremated and a private wake was held in her home on the day of her death. A memorial service will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 21, with a visitation and extended reception to follow at 3 p.m. at Ridgewood Country Club.

Tracy was born in San Angelo to David Stone and Sammye (Nutt) Stone. She grew up with her big sister, Tomarra, living with their mother in San Angelo and punctuated by intervals staying with their grandmother at the family ranches in Upton and Concho counties where mischievous spirits flourished. She was a proud Central Bobcat and graced the campuses of Southwest Texas State and Abilene Christian Universities before finishing in elementary education at the University of Houston where she had transferred to support Jim during his final years of medical school. She traveled in Europe extensively after completing school, staying in hostels, traveling by rail and ferry, and refining her fiercely independent personality.

She married Dr. Jim Morrison in May 1988 and they moved to South Carolina where she worked in the admissions department at Converse College to support Jim during his residency. Tracy especially treasured her time there, forming lifelong friendships bonded in raising young families. She embraced the vocation of motherhood with the birth of Sam in 1990, Hap in 1994, and Jake in 1996. She became a remarkable expert on congenital heart disease and enthusiastically adapted to a world of boys where she was a fierce lifelong advocate for their public schools, sports teams, adventures, and fun. The family returned home to Texas, moving to Abilene in 1995. Even while immersed in the activities of her boys, Tracy made time to become a leader in Bible Study Fellowship as well as a beloved mentor to girls and young women through Young Life, and a remarkable youth huddle leader in her Highland family. She treasured her time in Abilene and the proximity to Concho County where the boys could spend time with their grandmother at the Stone 3 Oaks Ranch.

Tracy was more than tolerant when Jim uprooted the family in 2007 to return to school in Baltimore, spending 2 years back in the workforce to support all of her boys in school. She found the home of her dreams when they came to Waco in 2009 and became part of the family at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. She loved living in Crawford and was a strong supporter of China Spring ISD education and athletics. She also unexpectedly became a uniquely doting dog lover when she welcomed her beloved lab Maggie into the family. She loved nature, skiing, diving, travel, dining, theater, art, and music across a broad spectrum but held a special passion for the live music of the Dave Matthews Band.

She was tragically separated from nearly all public life and lifelong friends when felled by severe depression in 2016 which was unrelenting and threatened her life on multiple occasions. In 2020, she was diagnosed with a rare and inoperable leiomyosarcoma with a survival prognosis of weeks to months. She improbably endured more than 2 years of therapy mostly in hope that her depression might lift rather than in expectation of defeating her sarcoma. Even in these difficult years, she taught us about endurance and strength in the face of fragility. She was a beautiful and enchanting being and we are immensely saddened by her extended and undeserved struggle but eternally grateful for the beauty and love she leaves woven in the fabric of the universe and the lives of her friends and family.

Waiting to see her, and not at all surprised by her seemingly delayed arrival to the next life, are her parents and grandparents and numerous friends.

She leaves behind a sister, Tomarra Lynne Stone, of San Angelo; three additional siblings, Monty Stone, Kelley Paschal, and Kirk Paschal; her partner, of four decades and husband, Jim Morrison, of Crawford; and three sons who remain her proudest achievement, Samuel Discher Morrison, of Abilene, Marcus Happle Morrison, and James Kyle Morrison, of Eden, Texas; along with a multitude of loving in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Tracy was a longtime supporter of Young Life, Mission Waco, KWBU public radio, touchalifekids.org, BSW Hillcrest, and our friends and compassionate caregivers at the BSW McClinton Cancer Center. Donations in her memory are welcome but Tracy would mostly encourage you to check on a friend, give lots of hugs, and tell people you love them whenever you get the chance.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.