Carol Forderhase Morris

Carol Anne Forderhase Morris, age 84, of Clarksville, TN passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.  Carol was born on August 13, 1938, in Graham, TX to the late Clarence Thomas and Blanche Fisher Cave.  She took great pride in being a Texan and attended Baylor University, where she majored in English and Education.  While there, she met her future husband, Duane Forderhase, who was attending Southwestern Seminary.  They met on Valentine’s Day in 1958 and were married on Valentine’s Day a year later.  Upon graduation they moved to Norman, OK, where Duane pursued his doctoral degree at the University of Oklahoma and their children, Greg and Alison, were born.  The family moved to Clarksville in 1968.

Carol began the kindergarten programs at both First Baptist Church Clarksville and, later, at Clarksville Academy, and enjoyed a long teaching career during which she touched the lives of many children and families.

Following the death of Duane after 34 years of marriage, she married Bill Morris, who had been a friend for many years, and they remained happily married for 26 years.

Her talents were numerous, but she will be remembered by many for her extraordinary musical abilities on both the piano and organ, having served as the church pianist or organist for many churches pastored by her late husbands and most recently at Excell Baptist.  Music and ministry were the foundations of her life.

Perhaps her greatest quality was her deep love for people.  She had a magical way of instantly forming deep and lasting relationships and was a master at connecting new and old friends through the commonalities that she learned.  Being around people gave her joy and life and she freely shared that joy with others through her sparkly eyes, authentic conversation and contagious smile.  “Miss Carol” was a beacon of light and will be truly missed.

Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would like to thank the many friends and family members who chauffeured and care for her after Bill’s death.  They are also grateful for the efforts of the caring staff and other residents at Fieldstone Place who cared for and loved her so well over the past several months.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband and the father of her children, Dr. Duane Forderhase, and husband, Rev. Bill Morris.

Survivors include her children, Greg (Sharon) Forderhase, and Alison (Joe) Petre; grandchildren, Ben (Caroline) Petre, Isabel Petre and Joseph Petre, Hailey (Keenan) Henderson and Zachary Brandenburg; great-grandchildren, Cooper, and Caroline Gonzalez; children by marriage, Rick (Alberta) Morris, Joy Kincaid, Carol (John) Weaver, Jamie (Richard) Christian, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren by marriage, all of whom she loved as her own and brought her great joy.

Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2023, at Excell Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Qualls officiating. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.  Pallbearers will be Ben Petre, Joseph Petre, Zachary Brandenburg and Keenan Henderson.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, and again on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Carol be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or Excell Baptist Church (328 Excell Rd., Clarksville, TN 37043).

Please scroll to the "webcasting" portion to view Carol's livestreamed service.

Online condolences may be made at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com