Renee Morrison

Renee Nicole Morrison was born in Columbus, OH on January 13, 1988, to Saddika Morrison and Tommy Dixon.

During her early life, she formed a strong bond with her lifelong mentor, Regina Douglas. Renee attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated Marion-Franklin High School in 2005. Renee had many friends throughout her childhood but was especially close to Rachaell Holloway and Amanda Hobor.
While in high school, Renee was a member of several student organizations including TAP (Therapeutic Arts Program), Chorale, the mentoring program and served as a youth ambassador for Franklin County Children’s Services. Renee always had an infectious spirit, a beautiful smile, and an inviting and warm personality. This combination of traits earned Renee “Class Hottie” and “Best Personality” her senior year in high school. A natural scholar, Renee was able to graduate high school a year early.

Renee was accepted and enrolled at Kentucky State University (K-State) in Frankfort, KY. At K-State, Renee was an active student involved in various organizations and volunteered her services to help others on campus. Renee was crowned Miss Brick House in 2005 by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. She was also a beloved residential assistant on campus. In this position, Renee was able to mentor incoming students and create a safe space for the residents. She also lent her creative mind and fashion senses and initiated the annual homecoming fashion show, along with Brandon Lewis, who was affectionally called “Twin” by Renee. Renee graduated K-State in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Journalism. Following graduation, Renee was accepted into the accelerated management program at The Kroger Company in Kentucky, where she was hired as a store manager.

Renee joined The First Baptist Church in Frankfort, KY in April 2010. She relied on God heavily through her journey in life. In 2014, she accepted a position with the State of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in Columbus, Ohio. In 2015, she became a child welfare and adoption advocate with Franklin County Children Services and The Dave Thomas Foundation. Through her employment at these organizations,

Renee was able to help countless children and families across the state of Ohio. Renee graduated in 2016 with a Master of Public Administration degree from Strayer University.

Renee was a devoted daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and aunt, but more importantly a devoted friend to those around her. Renee took pride in celebrating life and the accomplishments of those she loved. She would travel often to celebrate her friends’ birthdays, graduations, promotions, births, and weddings. She would show up at any time we needed her and was never too busy to lend a shoulder to cry on or laugh with. Renee overcame every obstacle placed in her path and was a beacon of light to everyone that she encountered. Renee will be missed by her community, Kentucky State Family, and her Columbus friends, especially Karrenda. She was the epitome of a great person. God lent Renee to us to teach us about love, patience, and the importance of having a true cheerleader in your life. In that time, she left a lasting impact on the world.

After being a life-long child welfare advocate, God called Renee home, surrounded by friends and family on October 13, 2022, at the age of 34. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, her brother, Eddie Cunningham, and niece, Lovely Kendricks.

Renee leaves to cherish her memory: her mothers, Saddika Morrison and Eartha Johnson, brother Clarence “JR” Morrison and sister Evette Cunningham, god-daughter and love of her life, Massiyah Menefield, godson Josiah Munroe, a host of aunts, cousins and close friends from Kentucky State University, whom she referred to as her family: Janai McMillian, Melva Menefield, Shana Darden, De’Andra “Dee Dee” Robertson, Carmen Sneed, Erica Salters, Hillary King, Daniel “D. Dot” Whatley, Latasha Shields, Clarissa Chenault and Kiah Munroe.

Visitation 1:00 PM and Funeral Service 3:00 PM Saturday, October 29, 2022 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd).