Joy Olson Morris

Joy Olson Morris, the daughter of Carl John Olson and Lydia Hagstrom Olson was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 4, 1925. Reared in Winter Haven, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Atlanta, Georgia, she attended Druid Hills High School in Atlanta and Georgia State University. Prior to her marriage, she worked at Georgia Tech in Atlanta and Bell Aircraft in Marietta, Georgia. She married Jack E. Morris in Atlanta in 1946 and they had four daughters: Penelope, Carla, Suzanne and the late Kathy, who died at age 8 as a result of an automobile accident in 1960. When her husband, Jack, was called to the ministry in 1958, she helped with family finances by directing music in a church Kindergarten, teaching private piano lessons and substituting in public schools. During his ministry in Presbyterian Churches, she was a volunteer partner in ministry with him in many capacities: playing the piano for worship services, directing children's choirs, teaching Sunday School and as a youth advisor. At Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia, which was a pioneer in an inter-racial ministry, she was the volunteer director of their Girls' Club with over 200 black children, recruiting over 30 volunteer helpers from other local churches. At Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, Florida, of which Jack was the organizing pastor, she was the volunteer Director of Christian Education for four years. Beyond the local churches, she served terms as President of the Women-of-the-Church in both the Presbyteries of Greater Atlanta and Northwest Florida. Beyond the Presbyterian Church, she served as President of Church Women United in the Tallahassee unit and later as Area Chair of Church Women United in Northwest Florida and still later in Northeast Florida. She and Jack moved to Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, Florida in 2003. While there, she served as Vice President of the Women's Guild, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, played in the Joys Bells Choir, and was a volunteer, at Hagen Care for six years, serving meals in the satellites and feeding patients in the Pavilion. She is survived by her three daughters: Penelope Ashley (Mrs. Mike) in Acworth, Georgia, Carla Anderson (Mrs. Roy) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Suzanne Anderson (Mrs. Charles) in Farmville, Virginia and one sister, Ruby Jean Larson (Mrs. Bob). The Morrises have ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The Memorial Service will be held at Penney Memorial Church at Penney Retirement Center in Penney Farms, Florida on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 1:00 PM, and ashes will be spread in the Penney Farms Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Penney Memorial Church Building Fund or the Residents Fund at Penney Retirement Center, P. O. Box 555, Penney Farms, Florida 32079. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000