Morene Adams Morris joined her heavenly Father and His chorus of angels on Thursday, August 12, 2010. After spending her years on this earth, taking care of others, she will indeed be taken care of for eternity.

Born September 7, 1914, in Comanche, Oklahoma, Morene grew up in the southern part of Oklahoma, graduating from high school in Wilson, Oklahoma. Graduating from East Central College in Ada, OK, Morene first taught different levels of elementary school at Courtney and later in Dundee, devoting her life to helping others learn not only intellectually but also ethically. Morene moved to Waurika and continued her teaching career there after she married Arthur Grundy. During her first years as a teacher, Morene prepared lunch
for the children in addition to teaching them their A,B,C's.

Morene was predeceased in death by her parents, two sisters, and five brothers. Morene was also predeceased in death by her husbands, Lilbern Teakell, Arthur Grundy, Paul Adams and Nelson Morris. Surviving are her daughter Barbara Barnes Krueger (Bill) of Midland,
Michigan, sister Louise Beal of Atlanta, Georgia, and many nieces and nephews. Particularly close to Morene was her nephew Bryan Spivey of Healdton, Oklahoma.

The majority of Morene's life was spent in Waurika, Oklahoma, where she was involved in many areas of life. Her career focused on teaching first grade to hundreds of students, who remember her with great fondness. After 36 years of teaching, Morene retired in 1981 as first-grade teacher. Committed to education, Morene continued as a volunteer, tutoring children with reading problems in the hall outside the regular first grade classroom at Waurika Elementary School. Finally, at the age of 88, Morene decided to "retire" from teaching first graders.

After her first retirement from teaching, she became a sales representative for World Book Encyclopedia and was often singled out as the top sales representative for her area. She looked forward to "Big Week" every year, remarking that "Big Week" lasts for over a month! She continued her involvement in World Book for quite some time, committed to "Big Week" well into her 80's!

Widely known as a local rancher and cattle owner, Morene began her involvement in ranching during her marriage to Arthur Grundy. Later she and Paul Adams continued their management of land and cattle. She loved going out to see her cattle in the afternoon after a full day of teaching. Following Paul's death, Morene continued ranching and oversaw the operation of her cattle business until she leased her land several years ago.

Morene was committed to community and religious organizations. She was a member of Business and Professional Women's Club and a retired teachers' organization. Morene participated in the local Nutritional Center, frequently taking part in fund raisers for the organization.

Morene's dedication to weather watching, tracking the Waurika weather for channel 3 in Wichita Falls, Texas, was an additional community outreach. Performing her duties with great seriousness and fondness, she spoke daily with the weather personnel at channel 3, sending reports to the state weather bureau in Oklahoma City. Morene always felt obligated to return home by 4:30 pm so that she could turn
in the afternoon weather report! In 2008, Morene received special recognition for her fifteen years of service as a Weather Watcher.

But perhaps most important to Morene was her devotion to her church, The First Baptist Church of Waurika. During her many years as a member, Morene was Superintendent of the Adult Sunday School, teaching many classes. She also sponsored many teenagers so that they could attend Falls Creek Church Camp.

Morene's many loves included music, flowers (particularly roses), picking up pecans, and finding the best cucumbers for her summer dinners. She truly enjoyed sitting with a friend and chatting for hours about daily events and family occurrences. Morene's unrequited delight in something as simple as a flower or a perfect cucumber represents her joy
in life's essential blessings.

Educator, rancher, World Book sales person, Weather Watcher, community activist, religious devotee, and tutor are roles to which Morene committed herself. More than the different roles she had during her life, Morene will be most remembered for her unselfish devotion to others and to her desire to make her world a better place. Resilient and independent, Morene reached out to all people in her willingness to share her values and beliefs. Particularly sensitive to those struggling for health or better living conditions, Morene sought to aid all in need of comfort.

Friend, Mother, Aunt, Neighbor, Sister, Morene demonstrated her Christian beliefs by spreading joy and love to those who needed her. And now she resides with that Christ, whom she followed in this life.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00AM Monday, August 16, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Waurika with Jeff McLemore and Bryan Spivey officiating. Burial will be in the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home in Waurika. Visitation will be from
1-8PM Saturday and Sunday from noon-5Pm with family receiving visitors from 1-2PM. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dudleyfuneralhomes.com Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Waurika.