Sally Marie Bateman Morgan

Sally Morgan passed away on September 26, 2025, at her home in Grand Prairie, Texas. A visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Wade Family Funeral Home, Arlington, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, 2101 S. Davis Dr., Arlington, Texas 76013. She will be laid to rest at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery following the funeral service. In honor of Sally, the family kindly requests that those attending the funeral wear red, white, and blue.

Sally was born in Tientsin, China in 1930. Her mother was Chinese and her father, an American soldier. At the beginning of WWII, it was no longer safe to stay in China. A Baptist missionary, John Blalock, offered to bring Sally and her two brothers, Jimmy and Jackie, to the United States. While on a layover in the Philippines, because their American citizenship, they were captured by the Japanese. She spent the next 38 months, from age 11 to 14, in an internment camp.

On February 23, 1945, they were liberated by the 11th Airborne Division, coordinating closely with all five branches of the military. Sally was forever grateful to each and every one of “her” heroes.

It was at Alameda Naval Air Station in California where Sally met Bill. They married in May of 1949. One year later, after Bill was discharged from the Navy, they moved back to his hometown of Lebanon, Missouri, and soon began their family. Three daughters and one son were born to Bill and Sally.

Bill’s job took them to Kansas City, where they lived for 22 years, raising their four children. In 1973 they moved to Texas. Due to Sally’s past they became actively involved in the American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW).

As a member of the AXPOW, she served on the National Board from 1982 to 1992. She continued volunteering as quartermaster until her retirement in 2016.

Sally is a Christian and has been a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas for 45 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Lyon of Rowlett, Tx., and Marsha Coke of Grand Prairie, Tx.; sister, Micky Shatkin of Arlington, Tx.; sisters in law, Mildred Climer of Springfield, Mo., Donna Roper of Springfield, Mo., and Kathryn Morgan of Fort Worth, Tx.; grandchildren, Erich Lyon of Richardson, Tx., Teresa Hutchison of Rowlett, Tx., Wesley Coke and wife, Jodi of Fort Worth, Tx., Gennafur Morgan-Hillman and husband, Jeff of Round Rock, Tx., William F. “Billy” Morgan and wife, Mika of Wichita Falls, Tx., James Dean Morgan of Austin, Tx., and Elizabeth Peralez and husband, Albert of Arlington, Tx. As well as ten great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Sally is preceded in death by her husband, William F. “Bill” Morgan; daughter, Clydie Morgan; son, William J. "Billy" Morgan; sons in law, Alan Lyon and Mike Coke; brothers, Jimmy Bateman and Jack Bateman; and numerous brothers and sisters in law.

Donations are gratefully accepted in Sally’s memory and are dedicated to the endowment fund at the National Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville, GA. Please make them to the American Ex-Prisoners of War (or AXPOW), PO Box 3445, Arlington, TX 76007-3445.

The Family would first like to thank all of Grandma’s wonderful neighbors, especially those who helped make it possible for her to remain in her home. Gail and Jim Schroeder, Patty Taylor, Juliet and David Garner, Peggy Bray, Jeanne McCauley and Kenny Tirado. Tender Heart Hospice workers, Nurse Cherry, Nurse Nancy, Nurse Ginger, Nurse aide Latisha. Meals on Wheels volunteers, Bill, Kimberly, Rhonda, Leanna and all others whom Grandma greeted at the door for as long as she was able. Thank you to her Calvary Baptist Church family for all your love, support, prayers and meals provided during this difficult time. Thank you to the members of the American Ex-Prisoners of War for giving Grandma the lifelong friendships she enjoyed and for showing her the platform to share stories with people whom have similar experiences. Thank you to Cheryl Cerbone for all the special memories and the love you showed to Grandma and family. Last but not least, we thank the Bikers from The Ride Home, Run To The Wall and The Rolling Thunder, who embraced her as one of their own. At the age of 85, Sally rode her first annual ride with the bikers to honor the US Military and POW’s/MIA, and today the Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting her for her Last Ride. We, Sally’s family, will forever be grateful to all those who made her feel so very special.