Character educator Morris dies at 36

Mary Morris, an advocate for character education, died Sept. 30 after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. Morris, 36, founded the Center for Character Development at Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tenn., in 2000. One of the center’s first initiatives resulted in Character Counts! Nashville, now a separate nonprofit that exists to “elevate the ethical behavior of children and adults … through character education programs and activities,” according to the organization’s Web site.

Morris, a native of West Virginia, provided character training for schoolsacross the city, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the Bowling Green, Ky.,Police Department and numerous Nashville-area businesses.

She received a doctoratein education from West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va., and joined the Lipscombfaculty in 1998. She was a member of the Brentwood Hills church, Nashville.

“I can think of noone who has had a more significant impact on the development of character andintegrity on our campus than Mary,” said Lipscomb Provost Craig Bledsoe. “Herleadership in developing our campus-wide integrity policy is a legacy to herlove for Lipscomb.”

Survivors include herparents, Charles and Lois Morris of Morgantownand a brother.

Norman Clothier

Norman F. Clothier,76, died Oct. 5 in The Woodlands, Texas.A retired Air Force colonel, he served as an elder of the Green Lawn church, Lubbock, Texas,from 1978 to 1992. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth. Survivorsinclude two daughters, one son, 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Sibyl Cone

Sibyl Cone, 86, diedSept. 28 in Edmond, Okla. She was a member the Edmond church since its beginning in 1922.

She was preceded indeath by her husband, Dorman, and five brothers. Survivors include a son, adaughter, seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Mattie Pillows

Mattie Lou Pillows,71, died July 5 in Groveton, Texas. She taught children’sBible class for 50 years and was a member of the Groveton church for 17 years.

Survivors include herhusband of 17 years, Lewis, two daughters, a stepson, a stepdaughter, agrandson, a great-grandson and a brother.

Ronnie Sain

Ronald Wayne Sain,28, died Sept. 27. He graduated from Freed-Hardeman University,Henderson, Tenn.,and served as minister for the Williston, Fla., church. He was a member of theBurlington-Santa Fe church, Branford, Fla.

Survivors include hisparents, Richard and Susan, two sisters and two brothers.

William Smith

William Robert Smith,80, of Abilene, Texas, died Aug. 25. He was the foundingcommissioner of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission and served aspart-time or full-time minister for several churches for 55 years. He waspreceded in death by three brothers.

Survivors include hiswife, Wray, a daughter, a son, three grandsons, three granddaughters, sixgreat-grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters.

Joe White

Joe L. White, 83,died Oct. 5 in Lafayette, Ind. He was an agronomy professor at Purdue Universityand lectured around the world on soil science. He was an elder of the Elmwoodchurch, Lafayette,and taught Bible classes. He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Survivors include hiswife of 60 years, Wanita, two sons, three daughters, 11 grandchildren and onegreat-grandson.