Ida Akers Morris
Frances Woodruff DuBose
Ida Akers Morris & Frances Woodruff DuBose by Matt Cole, Executive Headmaster for Major Gifts & Planned Giving
da Akers Morris and Frances Woodruff DuBose both lived into their mid 90s. Each was the epitome of the Southern lady—quiet, dignified, understated, helpful in their husbands’ careers, and devoted to the betterment of those around them. Even in their years as widows, they sought ways to be of service to others. They could often be seen helping their friends with shopping and doctor’s visits, and always reached out with a kind word. Both understood the importance of faith, God, and family, and were steadfast Wesleyan supporters. Ida Akers was a native Atlantan, but moved to Coral Gables, Florida after her marriage to Allen Morris. Allen ran a successful real estate development company in the Miami area and was an active member of the civic community, serving as president of the Orange Bowl. Ida supported Allen, but carved her own way as a strong Christian leader of Granada Presbyterian Church, a trustee of Montreat College in North Carolina, a friend of Billy Graham, and a long-time mentor to women prisoners at the Miami Dade County jail. Her generosity to Montreat, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Wesleyan exemplify her service above self. Ida’s Wesleyan ties were strong; she relished her visits to campus to see great-grandchildren, Jay (12th) and Lauren (9th)
Bell, and her grandson Nate Rupp, a former Wesleyan faculty member. Her grandson, Frank Bell, is a former member of the Wesleyan board. Her family’s generosity made possible the Morris-Bell Quadrangle in front of Wesley and Cleghorn Halls. Frances DuBose, known her whole life as Duffie, was a native of Columbus, Georgia and moved to Atlanta after she married insurance executive, Beverly DuBose. She supported Beverly in his role as a partner in Johnson and Higgins, the oldest insurance brokerage firm in the nation, entertaining insurance executives from Lloyd’s of London and around the world. Duffie and Bev were very generous with both their time and money to Egleston Children’s Hospital, the precursor of Children’s Healthcare. Duffie was a quiet—but forceful— leader of the Atlanta History Center which housed the DuBose Civil War Collection, the Historic Westville living history museum, and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. She and Bev were communicants of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Duffie’s granddaughter, Lindsay Smith Bays, was a member of Wesleyan’s Class of 2000, and her son-in-law, Bronson Smith, was a member of the board of trustees and currently serves as an emeritus trustee. The DuBose Dining Hall was named in honor of their long-standing commitment to Wesleyan.
WESLEYAN SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING 2015
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