Velva Morris

DEXTER - Velva A. Morris, 87, died Dec. 26, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Born Sept. 26, 1916, at Alpena, Ark., daughter of the late Ben and Lillie Dykes Hardy, she had lived in Arkansas and Bloomfield for many years and moved to St. Louis for 20 years before moving to Dexter 22 years ago where she was a member of the First General Baptist Church. She worked as a book binder and was later employed by Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis until her retirement.

In 1935, she married Doy Creed.

On Sept. 26, 1980, in St. Louis, she married Earnest A. Morris, and he preceded her in death in 1986.

She was also preceded in death by one sister, Raffeleta Edwards.

Survivors include: three daughters, Joyce VanDeutekom of Ballwin, Carolyn McLaughlin of Holt and Jan Crowley of Dexter; one brother, Curtis Hardy of Dexter; and 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Fred Leist of Dexter officiating.

Burial will follow in the North Antioch Cemetery near Bloomfield.