Mrs. Louise Gudger Morgan

Clyde / Bermuda Run – Lovella Louise Gudger Morgan, age 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Bermuda Run. Mrs. Morgan was a former resident of Clyde and was a lady loved by her family and the many children she taught throughout her teaching career.

Louise was born October 23, 1928 in Buncombe County to the late Samuel Love Gudger, Sr., and the late Celia Caroline Young Gudger.  She was a graduate of Candler High School and chose to continue her education at St. Genevieve Junior College in Asheville, attending the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and later graduated with honors from Western Carolina University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

It was evident to those who knew Louise that she had indeed fulfilled her true calling by making teaching her life’s vocation.  If you spent even a moment with her, you felt her love and concern for children. If you observed her in the classroom, you experienced a sense of magic and wonder that drew all of her students close to her and instilled a love for learning. For 30 dedicated years, Mrs. Morgan taught in schools throughout Haywood County. She began her career at Clyde Elementary followed by Morning Star Elementary, Beaverdam Elementary, and retired from North Canton Elementary. During her tenure Mrs. Morgan was honored with being selected as Haywood County Teacher of the Year, and was a member of the North Carolina Association of Educators, believing in the power of public education to transform lives. Mrs. Morgan’s biography was published in the "Who’s Who in Education" directory of eminent living educators. Her kindness and her loving heart for all children made her a premier teacher and role model.

Louise loved her home on Haynes Hill in Clyde. She served as President of the Clyde’s Women’s Club and also as Worthy Matron of Clyde Chapter #188 Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed nature and being outdoors, and it seemed as if she was blessed with the gift of a green thumb. She grew beautiful flowers that won numerous ribbons at the Haywood County Fair.  All of God’s creatures were loved by Louise especially her cat, Smoky, her dog, Gracie, and all species of birds. Her strong faith led her daily and she was a dedicated member of Clyde First Baptist Church where she had served as a Deaconess and also as a Sunday school teacher.

How thankful we are to have been graced by the life of Louise Gudger Morgan. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother she has been an example and a blessing to her family each and every day of their lives. Mrs. Morgan was a teacher who guided children with her wisdom to be confident, care about others, and to never give up on achieving their dreams. The quote, “One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world,” truly speaks of the exceptional life of Mrs. Louise Morgan.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Jon Morgan who passed away in 2011; a brother, Samuel Love Gudger, Jr; and a step-daughter, Sharon E. Morgan.

Surviving are her daughters, Lynda Louise Anderson of Advance, Carolyn Morgan Bradley and her husband Rusty of Fayetteville; granddaughter, Morgan S. Bradley of Asheville; niece, Rebecca Gudger of Candler; two nephews, Buddy Gudger of Candler, and Dan Hardin of Miami, Florida.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Clyde First Baptist Church. Reverend Byron Burnette will be officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 to 3:00 pm prior to the funeral service. Interment will follow at Crawford / Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde. Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Henson, Barclay Taylor, Zeb Smathers, Rusty Bradley, Scott Cook, and Nick Pressley.

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Morgan’s memory to Clyde First Baptist Church, PO Box 356 Clyde, NC 28721, or to Broyhill Baptist Children’s Home, 111 Sneed Dr, Clyde, NC 28721.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored to be caring for the Morgan family.