PALLBEARERS
Roman Heard Rian Heard
Brian James Ryan James
Martysses Rushin Andre Allen
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Ralph Heard Jr.
Mark Thomas
FLOWER LADIES
Raeshonna Corder Rhea Heard
Rayne Heard Rahni Heard
Rozalyn Jenkins Nicole Souder
Kerry Kurtz
ENTOMBMENT
Lincoln Cemetery
2275 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard | Atlanta, Georgia 30314
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for your cards, prayers, kind words, and overwhelming show of support during this difficult time. Your love and encouragement have provided comfort and strength when we needed it most.
A special thank you to Zan’eyeta Brown, Kem Jordan, and Doree Henry for your unwavering support, compassion, and dedication to our family throughout this journey. Your presence and assistance have meant more than words can express.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Atlanta Public Schools staff for your kindness, support, and thoughtfulness during this time.
Thank you all for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are deeply grateful for your love and support.
Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home Historic West End Chapel 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia 30310 404-758-1731 www.williewatkins.com
The K Effect, Print & Design, 678-732-5937 CELEBRATING
November 29, 1928 June 2, 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026 | 1:00 PM
St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church 551 Harwell Road NW Atlanta, Georgia 30318
Deacon Merlin Todd, Officiating FR Patrick Daugherty, C.P., Officiating
Morriscene Watts Thomas was born on November 29, 1928, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. She was one of three children born to Taylor Harry Stephens and Justine Collier Watts. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Charles Watts and Gloria Watts.
At an early age, the family moved to Atlanta, GA where she attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School with honors. She met and married Curtis C. Johnson and had two daughters: Eleanor and Donzella. While this marriage was short-lived, she later married her first love, Eugene Thomas, in 1950. Together they had three daughters: LuJuanna, Mamie and Lisa. The two stayed married until Eugene’s passing.
Morriscene lived a life defined by service, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to learning. She was a devout Catholic who attended St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church all of her adult life. For her, church strengthened the sense of belonging and identity within the Christian faith which she instilled in all of her girls.
A beloved educator, Morriscene devoted more than 26 years to public education, shaping the lives of countless students through her work as a teacher and mentor in the Atlanta Public school system. Beyond her work in education, Morriscene was known for her kindness, grace, and generous spirit. She enjoyed being in a bridge club, the Joyman Club, the Jolly Bunch and was a member of the Women of the Knights of St. Peter’s Claver. A community activist, she attended Civil Rights rallies with her friend and classmate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and participated in numerous activities with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and remained actively engaged in her community throughout her life.
Morriscene's legacy lives on in the thousands of students she taught, the family she loved, and the community she served. Her life was a testament to the enduring impact one dedicated educator can have on the world.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Eleanor (Rev. Dr. Rodney Dexter), Donzella (Benny), Mamie (Edward), and Lisa; grandchildren Rhonda Heard Dickens (Darren), Ralph Heard, Jr., Brian James (Renee), Roman Heard, Martysses Rushin (LaTisha), Mark Thomas and Penny Chapple; great grandson Tatum Chapple; and a host of great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Dr. Eugene Thomas; her daughter, LuJuanna Thomas; her grandson, Kerry Allen James; and great grandson Romelo Heard.
"A good teacher inspires hope, ignites the imagination, and instills a love of learning." Her influence will be remembered for generations.
