Bertha Morris

OBITUARY – DRAFT 9 - Bertha Lee Morris

Bertha Lee Morris (Greene), of Baltimore, Maryland, was born in Saluda, Middlesex County, Virginia on March 1, 1929.  God in His infinite wisdom, peacefully called our Beloved Bertha home, led in prayer by a Chaplain, along with family, on January 5, 2023. She is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Lucy Greene of Saluda, Middlesex, County, Virginia. She was married to her husband of 50+ years, George McKinley Morris Sr., who preceded her in death on January 3, 1996. Her son, George McKinley Morris, Jr. of Sandston, Virginia preceded her in death on July 4, 2020. Bertha and George Sr. were united in Holy matrimony on September 21, 1946, in Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia. Bertha made Maryland her home for over 75 years. She was a baptized member of Emanuel Baptist Church, Saluda, Middlesex County, Virginiasince her childhood. She later became a long-time member of New Christian Memorial Church, Baltimore, Maryland, where she attended services faithfully until her health deteriorated and prevented her from active and continual participation.

Bertha attended Pine Grove Elementary School (a one-room schoolhouse), Town Bridge Rd, Saluda, VA and St. Claire Walker High School, Saluda, VA as well as Catonsville Community College, Catonsville, MD. She excelled academically throughout her educational experiences. Bertha is considered a progressive matriarch and represented longevity in her day and time as she achieved multiple, significant accomplishments. Bertha became a Certified Healthcare Specialist, with the Baltimore City Health Department, under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, designating multiple medical, social and other support services for elderly citizens in Baltimore City. While employed with the Baltimore City Government, she participated in various professional development workshops and trainings, and received certifications, awards, recognitions, and promotions as well as Mayoral Citations for her outstanding work! She relished her Vital Stats and CPR training, but she expressed relief that she never had to put survival tactics into action in an emergency. During her employment, Bertha also went to college with students who were more youthful serving as a role model that education can be a goal at any age. She also went to driving school to obtain a drivers’ license and bought a new car every 4 to 5 years to ensure she could visit clients promptly to identify and provide services to her clientele. Bertha retired from Baltimore City Government and received a 20-year Service Award for another job well done. In her determination to be a homeowner, she and her husband bought their first home more than 50 years ago, which she still owned up until her passing; and at her house, she had only two telephone numbers during that span of time. Bertha was known for planning and giving big backyard cookouts. Her food was home-cooked the“Greene family” and “Down-Home Virginian” way, which smelled good, looked good, and tasted extra good. There was no Chef or Grill Master that could match her home-cooked meals as many looked forward to her family get-togethers and holiday events at her house. Bertha was a community advocate and a longtime member of the St. Joseph Neighborhood Association. Berthamaintained a beautiful home and often entertained, and she wouldshare the comforts of her home with friends and family. She was kind-hearted and generous and welcomed everyone into her home for fun, entertainment and sometimes, to live, if they needed a place to lay their head in good times and in challenging times. She enjoyed drinking a cup of sweet, creamy coffee daily, loved to travel, patronized restaurants, visited casinos, and was an avidBaltimore Orioles Baseball and Ravens Football fan. In perspective, Bertha’s progressiveness and longevity were not political but were more evident of how she promoted the quality and fullness of her life, from which her family and the community benefitted.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory daughters: Audrey (Donald Sr.) Clark of Hanover, Maryland and Darlene Norman of BaltimoreCity, Maryland; grandchildren: Roxanne Chin of Hanover, Maryland; Leonard Willis, Jr. of Owings Mills, Maryland; Aaron Morris of Owings Mills, Maryland; Michael Morris ofJacksonville, Florida; Donald (Tamara) Clark, Jr. of Prince George’s, Maryland, Damien (Eve) Morris of Orem, Utah; Carl Norman, Jr. of Baltimore County, Maryland; and Morgan Morris of Henrico, Virginia; great-grandchildren: Braden, Corbin, Derrick,Kara, Karma, Lenny III, Melissa, Nina, Ryan, Shane, and Sierra; a sister: Myrtle Watson of Mattaponi, VA; Step-grand- and great-grandchildren: Jody, Gregory, Jason and Samuel; ex-daughter- and sons-in-law: Janis Morris-Mills, Carl Norman, Sr. and Leonard Willis, Sr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bertha was predeceased by siblings: Geneva Smith, Wilbur Greene, Hazel Dickerson, Careda Bagby, Morris Greene, Adele Miles, Raymond Greene, Mamie Blount-Green, and infants Mildred and Herbert Greene; ex-son- and daughters-in-law: Alexander Chin, Anita Morris, and Renee Morris.

Bertha was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always touted their accomplishments, praising their smaller and most major achievements. During the celebration of one of Bertha’s birthdays, one great-granddaughter (Nina) at an early age could not say “Bertha” so she called her Grandma “Birthday”, from then until this day – and so did othersat times. Certainly, “Grandma Birthday” will be celebrating her first “Heavenly Birthday” with joy!! Amen, for her 93-year longevity, for her progressiveness and, most of all, for her love!

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