MARTHA JEAN (RILEY) MORRIS

       Martha Jean Riley Morris was born on August 24, 1936 in Holmes County, Mississippi to the  union of Bennie Riley and Equilla Woods Riley. “Foot” as she was affectionally called by friends and family, was the baby of three children born to this union. Her older sister, Sarah Ann Riley Boyd (Minneapolis, MN) and James Riley (Olive Branch, MS) survive.

     Martha was raised in West, MS and recalled with joy her childhood play of running through the grass, pretending in a beat up car, going to town on Saturdays to see the sights and eating vanilla wafer cookies with cheese in town swinging her legs on the stoop, and counting cars by colors that went down the road. When the family moved to Durant, MS, Martha attended Holmes County Training school where she met new friends and joined the high school basketball team where she excelled.

     In 1955, Martha married Warren D. Morris of Durant, and they moved to Chicago, IL where five children were born. Martha worked at University of Chicago International House and then Carlson Animal Research at the University of Chicago where she retired with over 30+years of service. She joined Acme Missionary Baptiste church where she raised her children serving many duties under the leadership of Rev S.L. Sutton in 1967.  She remained there faithfully until she could serve no more due to her    declining health in 2020 under the direction of Bishop Bernard Sutton. In addition to her brother and sister she is survived by her five children: Dianne Morris McMillen (Alsip, IL); Vickie Ann   Morris (Louisville, KY); Lynette Morris Parks (West, MS); Warren D. Morris Jr. (Chicago, IL) and Wilma Morris (Chicago, IL). In addition to her five children that survive her, she leaves nine grandchildren who dearly loved her and 13 great grandchildren. Special nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, extended family and church member will also remember the special times of meeting Martha as she passed this way.

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