VaNita Beverly Morris was born April 6, 1915, in Roanoke, Virginia to G.H. and Mina (Grimes) Garner and passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

VaNita was raised and attended school in Thomas, Oklahoma and graduated from Thomas High School in 1933. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Art Education and later a Masters Degree in Art Education from what is now Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Some people start a lifelong relationship at a young age. For VaNita and her husband Louis, such a relationship began 89 years ago where they grew up on adjoining farms north of Thomas. They were already sweethearts by the time she was 13 and he was 14. They rode the school bus together and when they were teenagers, Louis ran a telephone line from his folks farm to her house so they could talk.

VaNita married Louis Harold Morris on April 14, 1935, in Thomas. After the wedding they drove to Oklahoma City during the worst dust storm Oklahoma had ever experienced-Black Sunday.

VaNita and Louis had one daughter, Marge Donley of Weatherford, Oklahoma; four sons, Bob Morris and wife, VaLeta of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Dick Morris and wife, Kate of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kent Morris and wife, Elizabeth of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Don Morris and wife, Alice of Kingsport, Tennessee. Her grandchildren are Robert Lindamood and wife, Barbie, Susie Haddenham and husband, Terry, Senea Young and husband, Jimmy, John Morris and wife, Elizabeth, Shawn Lambert and wife, Sean, Paula Anderson and husband, Tracy, Sally Landoll and husband, Andy, Anne Morris, and Aaron Morris and wife, Priscila. She has a multitude of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her brother Omer Garner, her grandson Steve Morris and granddaughter Melissa Morris.

VaNita enjoyed painting, china painting, traveling and visiting the cabin they built in Garfield, Colorado. VaNita was an excellent Mother and homemaker.

She was active in her church, PEO, and United Methodist Women. VaNita was a woman who lived and trusted in God everyday of her life. She was the very definition of a Christian woman.

The family wished to express heartfelt gratitude to the Director, Kristi Hatfield, and staff at Brookdale Assisted Living Center in Weatherford for their compassionate and excellent care she received for 9 Years. Special thanks to Shepherd Home Health & Hospice for their wonderful assistance in the last year of her life. Also, thank you Rev. Lynn Brack for your many hours spent with VaNita enriching her spiritual life.

Congratulations VaNita Morris for a life well lived.