Sophie Dorothea Morin

Sophie Dorothea Kraus Morin
May 10, 1938 – March 10, 2023
Smiths Station, AL – Sophie Dorothea Kraus Morin, 84, of Smiths Station, AL passed away Friday night on March 10, 2023 at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL. She was born to the late Adolf Kraus and Regina Schneider Kraus, May 10, 1938 in Brebersdorf, Germany. Sophie survived living near one of the most bombed cities in Germany during World War II and subsequent Allied occupation. On December 31, 1957, she married a young American soldier and the love of her life, Robert Paul Morin, Sr. They lived in North Dakota, Minnesota, Germany, and finally Alabama. Sophie spent her life supporting her husband, loving and raising her children, and spoiling her grandchildren. She was a faithful parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Phenix City, AL. She was also a member of the International Wives’ Club in Fort Benning, GA, and the Heimatland German Club in Columbus, GA. Sophie was happiest traveling, planting flowers in her immense garden, and admiring the beauty of nature.
Other than her parents, Sophie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Robert P. Morin, Sr.; her devoted son-in-law, Thomas McCormick; a daughter, Dorthy Champion; and her younger sister Wilhelmina Behringer.
She is survived by her children, Nancy Claridy McCormick, Roberta McConnell (Jeff), Carl Morin (Shania Miller), Ramona Ortiz (Jay), and Robert P. Morin, Jr. (Stacy King); one sister, Irene Wehner; and a brother, Hubert Kraus. She also leaves behind nineteen grandchildren; Keith R. Claridy, Brittney Fodor, Carmen Bens Vega Rearden (Cory), Carly Bens Vega, AJ, Adrianna, and Khloe Ortiz, Melissa and Madison Champion, Zach Weekly, Brooklyn Williams, Shiloh Williams, Trip, Brantley, Bryce, Sophia, Reese, Dallan, and Shaylin Morin; one great grandchild; Daniel Christian Rearden; as well as numerous other relatives and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Patrick Church of Phenix City, ℅ Father David Hamm, S.T. or Children’s Hospital of Alabama (childrensal.org).
The family will receive friends Monday evening, March 13, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm EDT at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City. A celebration of life Catholic Mass will be held at 11 AM EDT on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Phenix City with Father David Hamm, S.T., as celebrant. A private interment will take place at a later date. The family will also receive guests after the Mass in the parish hall.