Former Treasurer of the United States, Azie Taylor Morton died Sunday, December 7, 2003 in Austin of complications from massive stroke suffered on Saturday.  Morton, 67 was at her home in Bastrop County Saturday morning when she suffered the stroke.  Morton died 10:15 PM at St. David's hospital in the presence of her immediate family.   The funeral is scheduled for noon Saturday, December 13, 2003 at St. Johns Tabernacle in Austin. Memorial service set for 5:30 PM Friday, December 12, 2003 at Huston-Tillotson College King-Seabrook Chapel. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of King-Tears Mortuary. In lieu of flowers the family has established the Azie Taylor Morton, Huston-Tillotson Scholarship Fund at Frost National Bank, P.O. Box 1727 Austin, TX 78767 Attn.: Carolyn Berry.   Azie married the love of her life, James Homer Morton, on May 29, 1965.  They are the parents of two daughters, two granddaughters, a great granddaughter, and two great grandsons.  She viewed the relationships with her offspring as her greatest accomplishment.  Mr. Morton passed away on January 15, 2003.   Morton will be missed by her daughters and their husbands: Virgie Floyd (Phillip), Stacey Hurst (Eric); her granddaughters Michelle Clark and Portia Jefferson; great-grandchildren: Ronald Oliver, Kyree James and Solé Michelle. Appointed to the office of Treasurer of the United States by President Carter, Ms. Morton has the distinction of being the only African American to ever hold that post.  Morton was the 36th Treasurer of the United States. She served from September 12, 1977, to January 20, 1981. Born February 1, 1936 to Fleta Hazel Taylor, Morton grew up on a farm in the small but well-known community of St. John Colony in Dale, Texas, near Austin. Graduating at 16 with an outstanding record, she enrolled at Huston-Tillotson, an all-Black college in Austin. Morton graduated with a bachelor of science in commercial education in 1956 cum laude. She applied for enrollment to graduate school at the University of Texas but was denied admission because she allegedly needed more undergraduate courses.  However, the University denied her admission for undergraduate courses citing its policy of not enrolling “Negroes to its undergraduate programs.”  Undaunted, Azie began a career that spans forty-five years which includes a variety of experiences.  Ms. Morton's first job was as a teacher at a school for delinquent girls. She went on to serve on President Kennedy's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.  She was a member of the American Delegation to Rome, Italy for the Enthronement of Pope John Paul II; Chair of a People to People Mission to the Soviet Union and China; an Election Observer for the Presidential elections in Haiti, Senegal, and the Dominican Republic; and she was a representative to the first African/African American Conference held in Africa.  With one exception (1968), Azie attended and had been officially involved in every Democratic National Convention since 1964.  She often referred to herself as a “convention junkie” but was passionate about public service and the necessity of giving back to the community that made so much possible for her. Morton was motivated to succeed, no matter the task, while remaining humble and respectful of others.  [sc] the staff of soulciti got to meet and briefly know mrs. taylor morton when her daughter stacy submitted the winning essay for our 2003 mother's day "evening of elgance contest. below is stacy's submission: My mother, Azie Taylor Morton, deserves an evening of elegance because she gives 100% of herself to her family and those around her. My father passed away in January 2003 and she has suffered the loss of her life companion of 37 years. In the midst of the mourning, she is managing to financially support the weddings of both my sister and myself - within the same year - despite the loss of financial support provided from my father. Prior, to my father passing, my sister set her wedding date on the same date as my parent’s anniversary. This year will be especially difficult for my mother to experience the gift of joy and loss with the coming event on May 29th. She also provides a home to my daughter and myself until we are able to move into our own home, and she asks for nothing in return. My mother also gives selflessly of herself to the community around her. In order to give back to her alma mater – Huston-Tillotson College (HTC) she has put her own financial resources on the line to provide a bookstore for the college. She also gives of herself by inviting students to her home who are unable to spend holidays with their own families. Also, at various times, she has provided furniture, clothing and gift items for students that either could not afford them, or had no other means for obtaining what they needed. In addition to running the bookstore at HTC, my mother is involved in the brokerage business. However, with the downturn in the economy, she is struggling to keep business opportunities afloat. However, even in the face of all these challenges, she has never ceased to help someone that comes to her in need. I love my mother and I am proud of her never ending strength and determination to continue forward in the midst of adversity and still remain a loving, caring and giving soul. It is for all these reasons that I feel she deserves to have the same love and care showered upon her.