Mary Adelaide Thomson Morganti

Mary Adelaide Thomson Morganti, 89, died Sunday, March 13, 2011, at her home in Lubbock, Texas.

Adelaide was born on September 8, 1921, in Abbeville, SC, to Mary Jane Kay and Samuel Goode Thomson. Following her formative education, Adelaide graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC, with the intention of teaching English. However, because it was wartime and teachers were scarce, she got a job teaching science in Walterborough, SC, a story which Adelaide delighted to tell. "Can you imagine? Me, teaching science!" she relished saying. It was while teaching in Walterborough that Adelaide met the love of her life, Clyde Joseph Morganti, who was stationed at nearby Fort Sumter, SC. They were married on December 8, 1943, in the middle of World War II, when this Greatest Generation woman was thrown into the throes of being a wartime bride.

Adelaide followed Clyde throughout his military service, living in countries all over the world. In England, while Clyde was training at the Royal Air Force Staff College in 1953, Adelaide gave birth to their daughter, Patricia Carol Morganti Clark, on December 5, 1952. The family's next travel adventure was to South America, where Clyde was stationed in Ecuador. While there, Adelaide served as a charming hostess for visiting dignitaries as well as a civilian "ear to the ground" for American interests. In between these global adventures, the family contributed faithful service at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

Having received a Masters Degree from George Washington University, Clyde was named commander of Reese Air Force Base in 1967, and thus began Adelaide's longtime residence in West Texas, another grand adventure. The young family retired from the Air Force in 1970, when Colonel Morganti joined Texas Tech University as Chief of Staff for the next twenty-one years, where, together, they served six presidents of the University. Adelaide also served on the Lubbock Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce, enjoyed tennis and dances at Lubbock Country Club, playing cards, and enjoying many friends, including her favorite traveling companion, Fran Chrismon. Her membership in Chapter AK of PEO remained a treasured affiliation.

Preceded in death by her only sibling, Samuel Goode Thomson, III, on August 11, 1988, her beloved husband Clyde to Alzheimer's disease on April 9, 2006, and her daughter Carol on June 15, 2009, Adelaide remained truly a "steel magnolia" until the end. It was her wish to die at home with her faithful cat Popo and steadfast caregivers by her side. Special thanks from the family to Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hawkins, Elva Acevedo, Michelle Ochoa, Belinda Guerra, Ana Sanders, Donna Anthony, and caring neighbors.

Other survivors include her beloved cousin, Adelaide Dupre of Abbeville, SC; a niece, Mary Jane Ramey of Abbeville, SC; nephews, Daryl Kay Thomson, Sr. of Woodstock, Georgia, and Louis Russell Thomson of Snellville, Georgia; and many friends. Her dog and steadfast protector, Cassie, and her faithful cat, Popo, remain under the compassionate care of Key Animal Clinic.

Graveside services for Mary Adelaide Morganti will be held at Long Cane Cemetery Abbeville, South Carolina, on Friday, March 18, at 2:00 PM with Dr. George Wilson of Abbeville Presbyterian Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Haven Animal Shelter in Lubbock, Texas, or to your favorite charity.

Service

Long Cane Cemetery
Due West Hwy
Abbeville, SC  29620
Friday, March 18, 2011
2:00 PM