Gene Slack Morse

Gene Slack Morse, aged 90, loved her family, her friends, her church, her college, her city, and her woods and was an ardent booster of each. She was an enthusiastic participant in every aspect of life, an avid learner with a keen interest in this world and all those who live in it. Born in LaGrange, GA on November 6, 1920 to Searcy Bradfield Slack and Julia Pratt Smith Slack, she graduated from Decatur Girls’ High, Agnes Scott College, and attended the Prince School of Retailing in Boston. She married Chester William Morse of Brockton, MA on October 17, 1942. They made their home in Decatur and raised their four children there. She was proud of all members of her large extended family, but in addition to time spent with them, she was an active volunteer in church and community activities. She was a Camp Fire Leader, Den Mother, and Girl Scout Leader. At Decatur Presbyterian Church, she served as president of the Women of the Church, Circle Bible Moderator, and in many other capacities. She was a member of the DeKalb Medical Auxiliary, the DeKalb Service League, and served as a Trustee of Agnes Scott College and as president of the Alumnae Association. She was also a founding member of the sixty-two-year-old Decatur Book Lovers’ Club. In 2002 she and her family donated Woodlands, their seven-acre home place to the Decatur Preservation Alliance to be developed into a public garden. She died at home on December 12, 2010. Her beloved husband of sixty-two years, Chet, her brother, Searcy B. Slack, Jr., and her sister, Ruth S. Roach, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Julia S. Hunter of
Atlanta, her children and their spouses: Genia M. Duchon and Kip Duchon and Anne M. Topple and Jim Topple, of Decatur, Mary Ellen M. Pendergrast and Jeff Pendergrast of Atlanta, and Harold G. Morse and Julie H. Morse of Anderson, SC. Her grandchildren and their spouses are: Jennifer Topple, Genia T. Cayce and Brian Cayce, Craig and Trasie Topple, Matt Pendergrast, Diana P Burk and John Burk, Julie Pendergrast, Georgeanna M. and Ted Goldthorpe, Elizabeth, Chet and Joe Morse, and Anna, Julia and Karman Duchon. Great-grandchildren are Anne, Paige, and Jane Goldthorpe, Henry and Elsa Cayce, Ruby Gene Topple, and Madeleine Burk. A memorial service will be held at Decatur Presbyterian Church at 2:00 on Friday, December 17, 2010. The family will be receiving friends at the church after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur Preservation Alliance designated for Woodlands Garden c/o Decatur Preservation Alliance, P.O. Box 1764, Decatur, GA 30031.


Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033