Our beloved Matriarch, Lillian Cecillia “Ms. Ce Ce” Brown Morris, graced this Earth on May 7, 1951 in Camilla, Georgia. Born to two amazing parents, as their first-born child, who preceded her in death last year, George Preston “Bud” Brown and Annie Doris McIntyre, Lillian was their star. Almost immediately after she was born, her parents moved the family to Miami, Florida where Lillian was educated in the Dade County School System.

As a child, Lillian was always favored by the elders surrounding her, especially by educators and other mentors in her neighborhood. One teacher she mentioned often and was influenced by her entire life was her sixth grade teacher, Ms. Littles. Ms. Littles was the first person who took Lillian under her wing and explained to her that she has a gift that will take her far in life. Along with her mother, Annie Doris McIntyre, Ms. Littles influenced Lillian in fashion, style, and grace. Yet her teacher also influenced her in communication, enunciation, and to be bold in speaking. She told her that her voice will be her gift. Not long after Ms. Littles entered Lillian’s life, so did the Lord, Himself. One day, at age twelve, when Lillian was home with her mom and siblings, there was a knock on the door, not different from any average day. However, on this day, Lillian’s life would change forever. Just after the knock, her mother yelled for her to answer the door. She did. At the door, Lillian remembers well that it was Jesus, Himself, at the door. He told her that her life would be special, that she would influence many, and that He will always take care of her along the way. She was stunned; her mouth fell open, and He walked away. From that moment, Lillian behaved like she knew God was always with her. The rest of her life remained exemplary of this truth. As her life continued in education, Lillian performed well in Junior High School and High School. As Ms. Littles predicted, Lillian’s gift of voice was noticed in high school. Her school Principal asked her to make school announcements often, which led her to interning for a radio station on Miami Beach, WMBM 1490, and later graduating with not only her high school diploma with Honors, but also her degree in Broadcast Communications.

After graduating from high school, Lillian became a student at Miami-Dade College and later ventured to Grand Rapids, Michigan where she went to Davenport University to complete her education. While in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she met and married John Clifton Ashley (deceased), where they had their first child, Talia Ashley. They remained married for nine years and divorced. Upon their divorce, Lillian returned home to Miami, where she reunited with her childhood friend and soul mate, Gilbert Morris (deceased), and married him. Together, they bore three more children and began raising their family in Miami. As a couple, Lillian and Gilbert did well in Miami. They created a great footprint in Miami in business and community work. They established a minor league football team, owned business in grocery, a fish market, real estate, credit consulting, and technology education for children. Later, the two separated and Lillian moved with her children to Albany, Georgia, where legacy in business and community work continued. While in Albany, she created a successful restaurant called, Gordon Street Diner “Bahama Mama’s”, and became a highly successful Radio Station Manager, and Gospel Radio On-Air Personality. Continuing her stint in radio, Morris later worked as a Former Broadcast Radio Manager for Silver Star Communications, Keys Communications, Williams Broadcasting and Cumulus Media; and as an On-Air Personality past and present. And as many of us know today, she continued her legacy in radio as an On-Air Personality for WZBN Praise 105.5 FM as “Ce Ce in the Mornings.”
Lillian Cecillia Brown Morris’ legacy is also extended in the health arena. She is a retired health educator who began her career with the Southwest Health District 8-2 in Dougherty County, Georgia. Following this, she rose to become the Senior Manager for the Southeast Division of the American Cancer Society of Georgia, managing 17 counties in Georgia.
Lillian Morris is also renowned for her community service. Morris is co-founder of her nonprofit organization, Hip Hop Grows Up, Inc., which is a character education and community support organization. Under this mantra, she has created a curriculum for youth and young adults, facilitated workshops, created and hosted talk radio community programming, brought entertainers together with community and families for positive influence, and fostered programming to support relationships between faith-based organizations and local law enforcement. Morris has also co-founded a program called the Women of Grace Connection which celebrates women achievement.

Lillian has co-authored a book with her oldest daughter, Talia Ashley, entitled Mind Your Manna: 12 Steps to Receive Your Blessing. And, she has penned her own autobiographical book titled, “Children, Mind Your Manna.” In addition to being a commendable published author, some of her other notable accolades include becoming a Mentor for Returning Citizens for the Department of Community Supervision for the State of Georgia in 2018; serving as a two-term (2010 and 2017) President of Emory University’s Health Advisory Board of Southwest Georgia – Member since 2010; receiving a United States Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition presented by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. in recognition of Outstanding Achievement, Service, and Public Distinction in 2012; gracing the cover of Albany State University’s alumni magazine called, Aspire, in 2010; writing the cancer plan for the state of Georgia; chartering the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, member since inception in 2005; and serving as Editor and Creator of the Community Access News (The C.A.N.) of southwest Georgia from 1991 to 1994 from Keys Communications.
Again, Lillian Morris’ education stems from Davenport University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Miami Dade College, Miami Jackson Senior High School, both of Miami, Florida.
Lillian Morris leaves to mourn her four children in order of birth: Talia Ashley, Amen Morris, Tauresa Morris, and Gilbert Morris (Shampree.) She was also preceded in death by one son Katravis Marsh. She leaves eight grandchildren: Makayla, Ashanti, Cameron, Jayce, Zuri Anna, Lauryn, Wes, and Jamir. She also leaves to mourn her brother Ozell Davis, Jr. (Trina), Tangel Hence, and Patrick Brown (deceased); twenty-eight other siblings; loving nieces and nephews, Andrew Hence, Patrick White, Lazarus White, Tyari Davis, Timothy Davis, Ozell Davis III, Zeenet Davis, and Flower Davis; many uncles and aunts, cousins, and other loving family members.