Reverend Dr. Bruce Monroe Morgan, a minister of the Baptist faith, passed away on November 21, 2024, at his home in Gainesville, Georgia, surrounded by his loving family after a brief bout with cancer. Bruce leaves behind a profound legacy of faith, service, and love to all who knew him. Born on June 3, 1937, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Bruce was the cherished son of the late Helen Bruce Morgan and Roy Edwin Morgan. He spent his formative years in Clearwater, Florida, before settling in Georgia, where he lived most of his life in Griffin and Gainesville.
Bruce's call to ministry was born from a profound experience. At the age of 15, he became gravely ill with rheumatic fever. Bedridden for nine months, he prayed to the Lord that if he recovered, he would devote his life to ministry. Miraculously, a family friend introduced him to a doctor who proclaimed his heart was strong, and Bruce was told to rise from his bed. Fully recovered, he resumed his active lifestyle.
Throughout his recovery, Bruce felt and wrestled with a persistent calling from God. He often attributed the poem "The Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson (1890) as a reflection of his early spiritual formation and response to the calling. The image of God as a relentless "hound" pursuing the speaker symbolizes the unwavering nature of divine love and grace. It reminds the reader that no matter how far we stray, God is always faithfully seeking to draw us back. Reflecting on his bout with rheumatic fever, Bruce often shared the crucial lesson he learned with his family from this experience which was “in all things give thanks.”
A young man of deep intellect and spiritual conviction, Bruce graduated from Clearwater High School and pursued higher education at Carson-Newman College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. He furthered his theological education with a Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bruce particularly enjoyed studying English rhetoric and homiletics. He attributed his profound understanding of both the written and spoken word to the influence of his formative professors. Bruce’s oratorical gifts were immense, and it was often mentioned by his parishioners that he had “the voice of God”. Driven by his thirst for knowledge, he pursued post-graduate studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and the University of Oxford in England. He is the author of two books, Lord, Lift Me Up: Beyond the Tumult of Times and Narratives of Grace in a Southern Church Facing Change.
Bruce’s professional ministry began in 1961, a journey that spanned over four decades, serving as pastor to five churches. He retired in 2002 from his beloved congregation at First Baptist Church of Griffin, Georgia. In addition to his pastoral duties, Bruce served as an interim pastor to many congregations and adjunct professor at Mercer University and Brenau University. He was a respected member of the First Baptist Church in Gainesville, where he continued teaching the Angler Sunday School class, as well as continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus for the First Baptist Church of Griffin.
Bruce was married for 50 years to his beloved wife Emma Lula Peck Morgan, who preceded him in death in 2015. In recent years, he found love and companionship again with his devoted wife, Cecile Morgan, who survives him. He is also survived by his two children, Ruth Morgan Reynolds (Reid Reynolds) and Nathan Bruce Morgan (Lisa King Morgan). His granddaughters, Meredith Rose Morgan Caleb (Macobey Caleb) and Emma Christine Morgan Jones (Dillon Jones), held a special place in his heart, where he was affectionately known as “Papa”. He is a great grandfather to Elealah Brie Caleb, born November 5, 2024. In addition, he is survived by his step children, Juliette Wood (John Wood), Ashley Mangrum (Mark Mangrum) and Carl Atkins and their respective families.
Bruce’s life was a testament to the enduring power of God’s grace. As a dedicated shepherd to his flock and a thoughtful husband, father, and grandfather, his presence brought comfort and strength to all who knew him. His unwavering devotion was a beacon of companionship and guidance, while his gentle strength—rooted in a solid foundation (Matt. 7:24-2[1] 5)—revealed the essence of a Godly life to those around him. Bruce’s wisdom radiated through each step he took, lighting the path for his family and community. That young man who once answered the call from the 'Hound of Heaven' blossomed into a shepherd whose ministry flourished, growing ‘larger than the garden plants… so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches’ (Matt. 13:32)[2] . His lasting impact will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the rich legacy he leaves behind.
The arrangements are organized by Little and Davenport with visitation December 2nd from 3 pm – 7 pm and a memorial service in the chapel of the First Baptist Church, Gainesville, GA, on December 3rd, 2024, at 11 am. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, the First Baptist Church of Griffin, Southern Companions Home Care and Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Georgia.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
