Norma “Jean” Koenig Morrow passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, February 16, 2015 at the age of 79, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on May 11, 1935 to Ruth Telitha Didear and August Jeon Koenig.
As a young girl she and her family moved to Bebe, Texas where her parents owned the Koenig Store. She attended a one room school house in Bebe through the 8th grade and then went on to attend and graduate from Nixon High School in 1952. That summer, at the age of 17 she married the love of her life, Sterling Boothe Morrow on July 6, 1952. They were married for 61 years before she lost him early last year.
As a young family they lived in various places including Gonzales, Bay City, Eagle Pass, San Antonio, and Houston. Jean was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home Mom for the first 20 years of their marriage, however, that all changed when they moved to Cuero in March of 1972. They owned and operated the Western Auto Store for 4 years before opening up Morrow Fence & Hardware and The Décor Shoppe.
Jean could best be described as an “Eclectic Artist”. She became an icon on Main Street and liked to say that she had been on Main Street longer than anyone else – 39 years. Her store housed many types of arts, crafts, and beautiful things, but she developed a real passion for custom framing and preserving anything that was old. She was a founding member of the DeWitt County Wildflower Association and for over 20 years donated her time and space in her store to the Annual Wildflower Mart. After her failing health, her family had to close the store in 2011. Jean and The Décor Shoppe will continue to be missed for many years to come!
She is survived by her three children all of Cuero: Elaine Post (and husband John), Darrell Morrow (and wife Pam), and Marsha Bonser (and husband John). Five grandchildren: Brandy Boza (and husband Rafael) of Houston; Blake Morrow (and wife Kristin) of Adkins; Chandra Carbonara (and husband Will), Clayt Gohmert, and Brandon Morrow all of Cuero. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Alexandra and Nicolas Boza, Masyn and Matthew Morrow, and William, Arissa, and Cannon Carbonara.
She is also survived by her brothers, Jake Koenig of Brenham, Jim Koenig (and wife Dolores) of College Station, Doug Koenig (and wife Soila), and sister-in-law Sherrill Koenig of Victoria, brother-in-law Joe Kotwig of Bebe, sister-in-law Margaret Benbow of Stratton, and brother and sister-in-law Bill and Frances Walden of Stratton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Norman Koenig and Lowell Dean Koenig, and sister Sandra Koenig Kotwig.
Pallbearers are: Blake Morrow, Brandon Morrow, Clayt Gohmert, Rafael Boza, Will Carbonara, and Joe Kotwig.
The family would like to express its deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to her live-in caregivers Lorene Brooks and LaBrittany Haynes, along with Dr. Jennifer Gonzales, and all of the nurses, aides and volunteers with Hospice of South Texas. Thanks for making it possible to keep our mother at home.
Memorials may be made to the Pilgrim’s Rest Primitive Baptist Church, 9073 FM 1447 E, Cuero, Texas 77954; Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Avenue, Victoria, Texas 77901-3933, or the donor’s choice.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Freund Funeral Home. Services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Freund Funeral Home with Elder Bill Walden officiating. Interment will follow at Alexander Cemetery in Stratton, Texas.
Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.
