Longtime entertainment publicist, textbook author and photographer Norma Ann Morris died Aug. 20 at her home in Kingston Springs, Tenn. Morris, who was 82, died following long battles with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Morris worked as an artist consultant and publicist for artists including Maxine Brown (of The Browns), Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Ralph Stanley, Steve Wariner and many others. Prior to her work as a publicist, Morris served as a college textbook editor and author, for books including the award-winning Introduction to Computers and Information Systems, and How to Set Up a Business Office. As a photographer, Morris had works included in People, TV Guide, Writer’s Digest, Billboard, Bluegrass Unlimited, Amusement Business and more.
Her family includes several music industry members, including her husband Ed Morris (a country music editor at Billboard from 1990 until 1995), daughter Erin Morris Huttlinger (RCA Records and independent publicity), and son Jason Morris (a music publisher with Fame, HoriPro and Eleven Eleven Music).
Morris was born June 21, 1939 in Apple Grove, OH. She is survived by her husband of 61 years Ed Morris, daughters Erin (Pete) Huttlinger and Rachel (Jody) Serrato, son Jason (Jewel) Morris and sister Frankie Foster, as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Ed Morris detailed his wife’s final journey in Stardust: An Alzheimer’s Love Story, which compiled several touching Facebook blogs that he shared about their experiences.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggested that support be given to Nashville’s Alive Hospice.
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