---
title: SR 12. Thomas, Morriscene Watts; condolences
collection: bills
id: 2026-special/sr12
cite_as: SR 12, 2026 Special Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr12
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr12.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr12/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74886
date: 2026-06-23
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr11.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr13.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr12.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 12
session: 2026 Special Session
session_slug: 2026-special
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-06-23
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Michael Rhett
  - Nan Orrock
  - Gail Davenport
  - Harold Jones
  - Matt Brass
  - Sonya Halpern
  - Russ Goodman
  - Nikki Merritt
  - Randal Mangham
  - Tonya Anderson
  - Kenya Wicks
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR12/2026/X1
upstream_id: 2154465
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Georgia Senate resolution
  - condolences
  - civil rights history
  - Atlanta Public Schools
---

# SR 12. Thomas, Morriscene Watts; condolences

## Text

Senate Resolution 12EX
By: Senators Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of the 36th, Davenport of the 17th, Jones II of the
22nd, Brass of the 6th and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Morriscene Watts Thomas; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Morriscene Watts Thomas; and
WHEREAS, Morriscene Watts Thomas was born on November 29, 1928, in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania, a beloved daughter of Taylor Harry Stephens and Justine Collier Watts; and
WHEREAS, a beloved educator, she devoted more than 26 years of service to public
education, shaping the lives of countless students through her work as a teacher and mentor
in the Atlanta Public School System; and
WHEREAS, she further dedicated innumerable hours of her time and energy toward her
community throughout her life, attending civil rights rallies with her friend and classmate,
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and participating in numerous activities with the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference; and
WHEREAS, a woman of deep and abiding faith, Morriscene Watts Thomas was an active
member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church; and
S. R. 12EX
WHEREAS, Morriscene Watts Thomas was blessed with four remarkable children, Eleanor,
Donzella, Mamie, and Lisa; seven wonderful grandchildren, Rhonda, Ralph Jr., Brian,
Roman, Martysses, Mark, and Penny; and a host of beloved great– and
great-great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, she gave inspiration to many through her high ideals, morals, and deep concern
for her fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding she demonstrated to
her family and friends were admired by others; and
WHEREAS, she was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation
for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example she made of her life,
she made this world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Morriscene Watts Thomas will long be
remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who
had the great fortune of knowing her.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
join in honoring the life and memory of Morriscene Watts Thomas and express their deepest
and most sincere regret at her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of
Morriscene Watts Thomas.
S. R. 12EX

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life of Morriscene Watts Thomas, a longtime Atlanta Public Schools teacher and civil rights era community figure, and offers condolences to her family.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate marking the death of Morriscene Watts Thomas. It recounts her life story, including her birth in Philadelphia in 1928, her more than 26 years as an educator in the Atlanta Public School System, her participation in civil rights activities alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and her involvement with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. It also lists her surviving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally expresses the Senate's regret at her passing and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to her family.

### What it does

- Formally honors the life and memory of Morriscene Watts Thomas on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- Expresses the Senate's sincere regret over her passing.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to her family.
- Creates no new laws, funding, or legal requirements, as it is a ceremonial tribute rather than legislation.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names the family of Morriscene Watts Thomas, who will receive a copy, and reflects on her impact on students and colleagues in the Atlanta Public School System and the broader Atlanta civil rights community.

### Why it matters

While the resolution has no legal or financial effect, it provides an official public record of the Georgia Senate recognizing a private citizen's contributions to education and civil rights history, and offers a formal gesture of condolence to her surviving family.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses recount her birth, family background, and 26-plus years as an educator in the Atlanta Public School System.
- It notes her participation in civil rights rallies with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and activities with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
- The resolved clause has the Senate officially honor her memory and express regret at her passing.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to her family.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-06-23)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-06-23)
- Sponsors: Michael Rhett, Nan Orrock, Gail Davenport, Harold Jones, Matt Brass, Sonya Halpern, Russ Goodman, Nikki Merritt, Randal Mangham, Tonya Anderson, Kenya Wicks
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74886

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr12.md?full=1