Morris L. Overstreet
funeral director and president, Warford Mortuary, Amarillo, Texas, died March 3, 2024, at age 73. Overstreet completed his funeral service education at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston. He was a longtime member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association and served on its Legislative Committee. Initially pursuing premedical undergraduate study, he later switched to a major in sociology. Believing that preparation in the social sciences and the study of law would empower him to “change the world,” Overstreet received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from what is now Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston. He was first assistant district attorney in the 47th Judicial District of Amarillo. In 1990, Judge Overstreet became the first African American elected to a statewide office in Texas since Reconstruction. He served on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, authoring more than 500 opinions.
Following his time on the Court of Appeals, Overstreet practiced law in various Texas cities and later served again as a judge. He then returned to TSU, where he served as director of the Legal Clinic and as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Evidence and Criminal Procedure. Overstreet was a frequent lecturer and public speaker, and he taught scores of continuing education seminars statewide and nationally.
Overstreet is survived by wife Carla, daughter Elizabeth, son West and three grandchildren.
|