Dedication of Leatice Morgan Way

(Beacon) - One of Beacon’s best-loved citizens, the late Leatice K. Morgan, was honored by having her residential street named after her on Saturday.

Historic South Street, her home for over eighty years, was proclaimed “Leatice K. Morgan Way” as dozens of family and friends looked on. Beacon City Councilwoman Eleanor Thompson, who originally brought the plan before the city council workshop last year, read the proclamation. Mayor Clara Lou Gould was also in attendance, as well as Councilman Charlie Kelly.

Mrs. Morgan died in March, 2005, at the age of ninety-two. Mrs. Morgan was born in Greer, South Carolina on April 15, 1913 as the only child of Milton and Ilar King. During the early part of her childhood, she moved to Beacon and attended Beacon City Schools.

She later met and married the late Johnson H. Morgan, Sr. From the union, ten children were born: Louise Morgan and Dianne Simmons of Beacon; Giles Morgan and Charles Morgan, both of Poughkeepsie; Eddie Morgan of New York City; and Albert Morgan of Columbia, South Carolina.

“Mrs. Morgan was a wonderful woman who really made a difference in our community. She was active in her church, Star of Bethlehem, and they designated her as a Mother of the church,” said Thompson reading the dedication. Mother Morgan was also cited for her community service, including Highland Hospital, and later St. Francis Board of Trustees. She was also a member of the Les Soeurs Civic Club and its junior branch.

She knew joy and happiness, as well as pain and sorrow. Three children, Leonard Morgan, Donald Morgan, Johnson Morgan, Jr., predeceased their mother, Mrs. Morgan. Mrs. Morgan was also a foster mother to twelve children.

Al Morgan, who is a son of the honorary, thanked Thompson personally. “This would never have happened without you,” he said. “I was only responding to the wishes of many people of the city who knew and loved Mother Morgan,” Thompson replied.

Pictured Above: Beacon City Councilwoman Eleanor Thompson prepares to read proclamation declaring South Street as Honorary Leatice K. Morgan Way. Also pictured is Mayor Clara Lou Gould.

Photo Credit: Carrington Hall