Murlie Elizabeth Morrison Pilgrim went to be with the Lord on October 16 th . At 86 years young she lived a long and full life. A true southern woman, she refused to pass until her hair and makeup were done.
Born in 1935 in Mount Vernon, GA, Liz was the second child of Walter and Murlie Morrison. Walter was in the mercantile arts, owning and managing W. B. Morrison General Merchandise which provided nicely for the family in the booming metropolis, and being of Scottish descent, he could make a nickel scream.
Bussy, as Liz was nicknamed by her younger sister Cornelia, was an active child. Proficient with a .22 caliber rifle, she was known to shoot the occasional tom that strayed onto their property. However,she was not much of a fisherman. She just couldn’t get past the baiting the hook thing. She did play basketball in high school which was a testament to the school’s commitment to having a team.
Liz was shipped off to girls’ school number one at Virginia Intermont, then later to girls’ school number two at Brenau College in Gainesville, Ga. And that’s where she met the love of her life, Harold Pilgrim. Harley was a Gainesville native and was playing football at the University of Georgia, but his free time was spent hanging around Brenau. Creepy? Maybe but he did meet Liz. Harold preceded Liz in meeting his maker by 13 years, and his peace is now up.
Liz and Harley married in 1956, and after he finally graduated from the University of Georgia, settled in Gainesville. Liz played the piano and organ for dollars at First Presbyterian, and they began a long life of love and togetherness. Told they were unable to have children, Liz promptly got pregnant after five years of marriage. Liz and Harley’s only child, Harold H Pilgrim III grew up in the most loving and warm household in existence. Locating to Decatur in 1966, Liz, Harold & Trip lived the American dream. Life was full of friends, joy and God. And salmon croquettes.
“Bullet proof” Liz was committed to her north Alabama town. A force of nature, she was active in the Junior League, DAR, First Presbyterian Church, substitute teaching, and then a launching a career in life insurance at the age of 40. She was highly successful at insurance sales, as the only way to make her go
away was to buy something. She also tried to keep up with their precocious son and his sports activities, complaining more than once that Trip “keeps getting his costume dirty”. Cue the Harley eye roll. And for those of you who know, she was the master of the chicken bird.
Liz is survived by her sister Cornelia, her son Trip, her grandchildren Ben (wife Abbie) and Molly (husband Drew Orman), and her great grandson by Ben and Abbie, three and a half months old Townes. And let’s not forget the grand dogs: Lucy and Finn.
Liz loved Decatur. She loved her friends. Liz was a wonderful wife and mother. She was driven by love in all she did. She will be missed. Heaven and Harley are better today.
Funeral service will be Monday, October 24, 2022 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church in Decatur. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Georgia. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of the Valley or Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation. Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
