To know Christina Marie Morris, you need to know her favorite quote by idol James Dean: “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.”
Although she was taken from us far too soon, just one month after celebrating her 23rd birthday, she continues to change countless lives for the better. She is greatly missed and will never be forgotten.
It’s time to celebrate her life and the joy that she brought to everyone around her. A public memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Allen. A private burial service will be at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen.
Christina lived life to the fullest and always encouraged people to be the best possible version of themselves. She embraced everyone’s uniqueness, often recognizing their potential even when they didn’t. She always pushed others to fulfill their dreams and never give up.
She was always ready to make people laugh, whether with silly faces or crazy costumes. And then there was the way she told stories, transforming the most mundane things into animated tales of wild adventures. To Christina, there were no small things. Everything was important.
The young woman with a dazzling smile and big hugs never met a stranger. Her happiness was big. Her sadness was big. Everything in life was big.
Ask friends to describe her and you’ll hear a wide range: goofy, quirky, fashionista, stubborn, fun-loving, passionate, energetic, strong, creative, active, open, summer-loving, spunky and driven. She strived to do her best in everything she did. There was always a sense of urgency about her. She was a tiny girl but had the biggest heart.
“She was the epitome of a true friend and one of the most genuine people I have ever met,” one friend said.
To her friends: Christina continues to speak to us. Listen for her voice and hear her pushing you to be the very best you. Never underestimate what you’re capable of achieving. She is never far away, and she’ll always be your biggest cheerleader.
Christina Marie Morris was born July 25, 1991, in Wylie, Texas. She grew up in Allen and graduated from Allen High School in 2009. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Her disappearance on Aug. 30, 2014, brought together a diverse group of people who have become a family. They embody her selfless spirit and her “never give up” attitude, and are affectionately known as Team Christina.
After three and a half years spent searching, posting flyers, and praying, Christina was found March 7, 2018, in Anna, Texas.
Survivors include her parents Mark and Anna Morris of Allen and Jonni Hare of Tyler; sister Sarah Estes and brother-in-law Patrick Estes of Carrollton; brother Jacob Morris of Allen; grandparents David and Linda Morris of McKinney, Carol and Ben Reynolds of Tyler, Carol and John Hare of Sanford, Fla., and Vikki Marshall of Tatum; aunts and uncles Tracy and Rob Danly of Little Elm, Bobbi and Joseph Ferrandino of Valparaiso, Ind., Jill Thurman and Hunter Hubbard of Enterprise, Fla., Ronald and Stephanie Shivers of Las Vegas, Nev., Donald and Shanon Shivers of Fort Mill, S.C., Dora and Daniel Brindle of Merritt Island, Fla., Peggy and Chris Marlette of Sanford, Fla., and Kayraen Reeks of Marshall; her beloved beagle Madden; and many dear cousins and best friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christina’s memory to First Baptist Church in Allen or a charity of choice.
We can’t fill this empty space that she’s left in our hearts, but we can keep her spirit alive. Make someone smile for her today. Lend a helping hand.
And don’t stop saying her name. Tell her stories. Laugh. And be proud and thankful to have been a part of her life.
“Make the most of the time you have and don’t sweat the little things,” Christina once wrote. “Life is too short.”