Sandra Morris

Obituary For Sandra Morris

In the gardens of life, there are many beautiful flowers. Sandra Hall Morris was an amazing “flower” who touched many lives along her life’s journey and will forever blossom in our hearts. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, humanitarian, and visionary leader who enthusiastically embraced humankind with her time, talents and resources. She was an empowered woman who exuded kindness and believed that the years in our lives are not as important as the life in our years. She therefore worked passionately, lived thankfully, shared generously, and laughed freely.

Sandra was born on February 18, 1953 at Scotts Air Force Base in Illinois. She was the eldest of three children born to the late Titus C. Hall, Sr. and Clarissa E. Hall. Her parents were both graduates of Tuskegee and married on their college graduation day.

While in military service, the Hall family was stationed on bases in Tokyo, Japan; Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; Kodiak, Alaska; Dayton, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; and Denver, Colorado. As the first-born child in the family, Sandra took on sisterly responsibilities for her younger sister and brother at an early age. Sandra and her family also found themselves in the unique position of integrating schools, neighborhoods and organizations. Most memorable experiences include integrating both Kodiak High School on Kodiak Island in Alaska, and Beverly Hills High School in California. Sandra also made history by becoming the first African-American woman to integrate Junior League organizations in both Nashville, TN and Dayton, OH. In the process, Sandra and her siblings learned to embrace the values of family, cultural diversity, education, and the joys of friendships.

Following high school, Sandra attended Howard University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She later earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

Her many travels and experiences yielded a plethora of interesting stories that Sandra cheerfully shared with family and friends. One special story was that she served as Maid of Honor in the highly-publicized 1973 wedding of Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson Five to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of legendary Motown founder, Berry Gordy. Through the years, Sandra and Hazel remained close friends.

Sandra began her professional career in the field of communications and was later recruited as a Community Affairs Director. She was also one of the first African-American women to work in media sales and was the recipient of numerous sales awards and accolades. For the next 20 years, she enjoyed an exceptional career as a marketing and sales consultant at radio and TV stations, in Dayton, Nashville and Memphis.

In Memphis, she transitioned from media marketing to heading up the Communications Department at the Memphis Housing Authority and the Division of Housing and Community Development. Prior to her retirement, Sandra also enjoyed such leadership positions as Vice Chancellor of Public Relations at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center; and later served part time at the Memphis Theological Seminary as the Director of the Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner.

Sandra was blessed with a beautiful life of love with her husband, Dr. Albert W. Morris, Jr., a radiologist and the 107thNational President of the National Medical Association. Together, they shared a love of travel, connecting with family and friends, and spending time with their adult children and grandchildren. A woman of abiding faith, Sandra was a member of the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis and embraced her belief that “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).

In referencing the name “Sandra,” we learn that her name has a special meaning. It reflects such qualities as strength, kindness and elegance and throughout her life, she embodied the grace and greatness of her name.

Sandra’s unwavering commitment to community service included being an active member of the Memphis (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. During her 27-year tenure with the Links, she served as a Chapter President, member of the National Foundation Grants-in-Aid Committee, National Strategic Partnerships linkage for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, National Co-Chair of the Protocol Committee, Chair of the Area and Chapter Protocol Committees, and Cotillion Chair, to name a few. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she pledged under the Alpha Chapter while matriculating at Howard University. Her community involvement activities also included service on the University of Memphis College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board, as well as boards of the World Cataract Foundation and the FBI Memphis Citizens Academy Alumni Association. Additionally, she held former memberships with the Women in Radio and Television and Jack & Jill of America, Inc. (Memphis Chapter). An avid reader and passionate supporter of women authors, Sandra was also instrumental in organizing the “First Friday Book Club” in Memphis.

On May 9, 2024, Sandra Hall Mays transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Major General USAF Titus C. Hall, Sr. and Clarissa E. Hall; and her brother, Titus Hall, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Dr. Albert W. Morris; daughter, Clarissa Betts (Derrick) of Overland, KS; grandchildren, Howard Brown-Betts and Denton Betts of Overland, KS; a sister, Rev. Dr. Pamela Bowden (Glenel) of Lake City, FL; a nephew, Titus C. Hall, III of Dayton, OH; blended family members, Stephanie Morris and Albert Morris, Jr. of Washington, D.C.; and dear friends, Pamela Arrindell of Memphis; Hazel Gordy of Beverly Hills, CA; and RoNita Hawes of Dayton, OH.

Together, we give thanks to God for the life and legacy of our beloved Sandra Hall Morris.

The family will receive friends for a memorial service Saturday, May 25, 2024 11:00am at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church 70 N Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104