Sarah Morrison went home to be with The Lord on September 1, 2014. She was born on August 25, 1925, to Joe and Mary Jo (Ragusa) Marino. She grew up in and attended school in South Park, Beaumont. Sarah spent her lifetime in service to others. From her very early years as a "car hop" at a local drive-in diner to serving food and beverages to patrons of the High Island fishing pier. She later co-owned and managed the Courthouse Cafe for many years where she knew as much about the local political scene as any Judge, Commissioner, or lawyer the frequented her cafe. She was known to give a free meal to recently released county jail inmates. She would give anyone her last dollar even if she had to go borrow it herself. After the Cafe closed, the county was so impressed with her that they created a position for her working for the county. Commissioner Norman Troy said in a Beaumont newspaper article in 1982, "Frankly, I don't think there would be a courthouse unless Sarah was here”. She retired after many years service with the County as the switchboard operator/information booth, still serving the public that she loved so much.
Sarah was preceded in death by four brothers, Olen Stegal, Anthony "T" Marino, Vincent Marino, and Salvador (Chico) Marino; a sister, Laura Marino Chambless; and one, son-in-law Gary Fesco, Sr.
Those left to cherish the memory of Sarah are her son, Joe Hileman of Fannett; daughter, Barbara Fesco of Pine Ridge; son and daughter-in-law, James and Phyllis Morrison of Huntsville; son, Doug Morrison and daughter-in-law, Tina Hulsey of LaBelle; grandchildren include, Rejena Hileman Bolton and husband, Teddy, of Silsbee; Renee Hileman of Fannett, Gary Fesco, Jr. and wife, Leslie, of Sour Lake; Michael Fesco of Sour Lake; Taylor Morrison of Denver, Colorado; Mason Morrison of Huntsville; Troy Doolan and wife, Brittany, of Copperas Cove; Andy Doolan of San Antonio; Tia Monajares and husband, Ronnie, of Huntsville; Mandy Morrison of Austin; and Douglas Morrison, Jr. of Beaumont; McKayla Powell of La Marque; and Tabitha Bland of Austin.
Her long life allowed her to witness fifteen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren!
The family would like to thank everyone that called, visited, and offered prayers. We would also like to express our appreciation to the staff of Harbor Hospice and Summer Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility.
A gathering of Mrs. Morrison’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 4, 2014, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 210 East Barkley, Sour Lake. Her interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148.
