Mary Virginia Morris

Mary Virginia Morris of Clarkston, GA died at her home at the age of one hundred and five on Saturday, November 26, 2011. She had just enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast followed by a day of Black Friday shopping where she selected a new outfit for the upcoming family Christmas party. Miss Morris was born in DeKalb County in 1906 to John H. & Hattie Stanford Morris who have preceded her in death. She attended Decatur High School and later went to Business College. After her family lost their farm, Mary went to work. Through hard work & frugal living Mary and her sister, Eleanor, were able to purchase their own home. They took in their parents and helped other family members through tough economic times. Employed by the firm of Spratlin & Harrington, Mary was an insurance underwriter. Her acumen contributed to the success of the firm. While she worked long hours, she also had time for play. She enjoyed tennis, golf, swimming and horseback riding as a young woman. She traveled extensively, and filled her home with the flavor of far off places. Mary painted on both china and canvas. She produced a large body of work. After retirement Mary indulged her passion for travel & dance. She joined a clogging group, toured Europe and performed in many places. She contributed to her community with meals on wheels and entertained at senior centers. Mary cared for her mother, Hattie, until she died at one hundred and two. On her 100th birthday, DeKalb County honored her by declaring February 2nd, "Mary Virginia Morris Day". She always said, "I've had a good life". In addition to her parents, Mary was also preceded in death by her brother, Thurman Morris, sisters Nola Morris Jones, Eleanor Morris and Mattie Morris, her nieces and spouses, Kathleen & Joe Durden, Lenora & Tom Griffin, and Carol & George Mitchell, and her great nephew, Samuel Durden. Mary is survived by her niece, Nancy Kaye and her partner, Gary Ecklund, great nephew, Ed Griffin, and his wife, Mary: great niece, Gail Wade, and her husband, David; great nephew, Terry Mitchell and his wife, Dot; great niece, Donna Thaxton and her husband, Steve; great nephew, Allen Mitchell and his wife, Sherry; and her great niece, Sandra Mitchell. Also surving are several great-great nieces & nephews, two great-great-great nieces and one great-great-great nephew. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner and Sons on Thursday December 1st at 1:00 pm with burial at Melwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at A.S. Turner & Sons

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033