Martha Morgan

Martha Morgan died suddenly but peacefully at home on November 27, 2019. Waffle House has lost one of “Last Mohican’s”. She had previously survived a brain aneurysm and suffered from congestive heart failure for many years but that never stopped the road warrior from braving any elements on any given night (usually around 2 A.M.), to head out for scrambled eggs. She mixed it up every now and then to search for a 24 hour Walmart. This is not a joke. Most who knew her know she followed and lead the way of a family tradition of being married several times…..four to be exact. Her most lasting relationship though was her life partnership with Ron Jackowski . While they never married, he was known for his outgoing and festive personality. He stole and kept her heart for 25 years. Not really, about the personality, he was a pretty somber and quiet soul and she affectionately referred to him as her “Honey”. Ron passed away in 2017 and while greatly missed by her she started a completely different life on Wilmington Island Georgia a few months after and never looked back. She had become very active with many women from Islands Baptist Church. Her sisters as she called them. She had her calendar full many days of every week with the choir, bible studies, Sunday school and helping out with their missions at The Baptist Center in Savannah. She also attended “ladies luncheons”. She had never luncheoned in her life! Those ladies had become her second family and her first family is extremely grateful for the way they completed her world in the last year and a half.

Martha owned Your House Restaurant on Oglethorpe Avenue in Savannah for 20 years. She had no problem defying child labor laws as she put us to work there at the age of 13. Slinging coffee is hard work. She had many loyal customers that made sure they kept up with where she ended up and she would want them to know she remembers them all. She worked in a few other positions after closing the restaurant. The Red Cross as a courier and at Memorial Hospital but her heart was behind the counter so she finished out her working days with Waffle House. Hopefully, she will be recognized for her years both behind and in front of the counter.

She is survived by her oldest daughter Terri Tallant, who Martha liked to refer to with a wink as “Most Loved” (we all knew who the favorite was and she is mentioned below) who like her mother tried out a few weddings before being lucky enough to find a “keeper” in Mitch Tallant. Bless his heart. Her non-traditional daughter Gail Morris has spent over 20 years with the same person and remains unmarried and has out lasted most relationships in the entire family. Go Gail! Gail and Sean Anderson had two sons, Kobie and Jacob. They were and will always be the apples of their Granny’s eyes along with Gail’s first child Kerstin who kept Granny on her toes for a lot of years. Kerstin who is married to Nick Lancaster bore a full grown Great Grandson for her named Felix who Granny referred to as Little Man. She is most likely laughing at Kerstin to see how she handles this adventurous young one as he grows up. Throughout her many marriages Martha had several step sons and other children that were lucky to have her as a mother in their life. Michael and Eric Morris and Joel and Jessie Jackowski. While Michael is no longer with us, the other three will feel a void in their life with her gone. Michael’s children Bobbiesue Morris and Michael hopefully hear Granny stories as the years go by.

Martha was born in a field according to her accounts, somewhere near the Bulloch County Ga line. Her parents were Willy Able and Martha Bell. Martha Bell Bland had seven children that gave mini Martha five brothers and one sister. Bill, Jimmy, Albert, Robert and Diane left us first and the last man standing is her brother Charles. Being from a long line of breeders, Martha has too many nieces and nephews and cousins and second cousins and so on to mention all of them here although she could name every one with a story to go along with them. Everyone will miss her kindness and giggle and her asking “can I fix you somthin’ honey” or “can I hep you do somethin’ honey”? Along with her loving personality her holiday dressing and her banana pudding will be hugely missed. Only a few of us know the recipe but could never do her justice. There was likely never a time when you answered her call and heard “I’m just checkin’ in” that didn’t make everyone smile.

We cannot leave out her longest and best friend Vicki Stewart now married to Raymond who had been Martha’s sister in law at one time. They remained friends for over 60 years and through all of the kids and husbands. We will always remember The Golden Girls together.

Martha’s furry little friend and constant companion, Millie, is going to be living out the rest of her days in Gail’s home. For this, Terri is extremely grateful as Millie picks and chooses who she really likes.

As a last note, Martha was the matriarch for this family. Whether they be immediate, extended or unofficially adopted. As we all know she liked to pick up strays along the way. You know who you are………
She was the string and the glue and the bungee cord that kept us together. The best way we can honor her life is to keep us together.

Baker McCullough Funeral Home Hubert C Baker Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. There will not be a visitation. Martha requested that in lieu of flowers ( that means instead of) that donations be sent to The Humane Society of Greater Savannah 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah Ga 31406. 912-354-9515 Humanesocietysav.org “Donate”.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Hillcrest Abbey West on Dean Forest Road.