Crystal D Morrison

Crystal Denise Morrison was born July 12, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois to the union of Alcombra Viesta and Joseph Jousha Smith.  She was the oldest of 4 children.

 Crystal attended St. Lawrence Grammar School, and Aquinas Catholic High School.  She attended Malcolm X. College where she got her certificate as a Dialysis Technician.   It was during this time in 1974 that she married her childhood sweetheart Barry Winston Morrison.  She then went on and attended Northeastern Illinois University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish.  She then continued her studies at The Center for Inner City Studies of Northeastern University where she received her Master’s in African American Studies.  Her thesis was based on the historical involvement of Christopher Columbus and the African Slave Trade.  This ultimately led to the publication of her book “The Trial of Cristobal Colon”  which became a play that traveled across the US.   She went on to teach African American Studies at Triton Community College.  

 Crystal was also a very talented quilter, doll maker, and fiber artist.   She was a member of the Needles and Thread Quilt Guild as well as Great Lakes African American Quilt Guild.  

 It was her loving marriage to Barry that produced five phenomenal children.  While homeschooling her children, Crystal and Barry started a very successful African Textile Company, “Expressions of Afrika”.  

 Crystal made her transition January 10, 2024.   She is proceeded in death by her Mother, Father, and Loving husband.  She leaves to cherish her wonderful memory, her children: Barry (Juanita), Leslie (Marcus), Kevin, Gyasi, Shomari (Jessica), as well as five grandchildren: Nicholas, Justin, Kai, Jaxon and Ariana.  Three siblings: Joseph ( Jeri), Valerie, Angela (William), and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends.