Billie Ann Morris

December 5, 1937 – July 20, 2018

Billie Morris was an amazing woman. She was strong of heart and spirit and was determined to make life the best she could for her family and the people she cared about. Born into a large family of little wealth, her early life was that of a migrant farm worker, spending her time working in fields alongside her parents and siblings. Life for Billie was difficult to say the least. The family would travel back and forth from Oklahoma to California, living in tents or under bridges, and sometimes going to bed hungry. Although her schooling only went through the 8th grade, she was a self-taught reader and reading was her way of escape.

She married the love of her life at only 17 and started her family at 18. Her mission as a mother was to give her children a life better than her own and her husband, Dewey Morris, was a good man and willing to work to provide for his family. Settling in her home on first street in Oklahoma City, she lived a good life for the next 60 years. She was very much aware of the difficulties in surviving, so she made sure her home was always open to those in need. She treated everyone like family and everyone loved her. She was a great cook and only knew how to cook for a lot of people, so there were always left overs. There was always food for anyone hungry who stopped by.

Billie was the proudest of her children and grandchildren and would brag on them to anyone who she could tell. She rejoiced in watching and being a part of each of their lives. She was also Grandma to many other children who thrived in her attention.

Unfortunately, time, her hard work in life, and the sacrifices she made to take care of others caught up with her and it was finally time for her to find her peace. She lived the best life she could, and her life ended as she wanted, at home with her family.

Billie is survived by her children, Rosalee Morris, Dewey Morris Jr., Della Pickens and husband Kevin Pickens, and Michael Merrell; her grand-children Blake Pickens, Brian Pickens, Miranda Merrell and Justin Merrell; and her great-grand-children Eva Merrell and Carter Futrel. She is also survived by her sister, Ellie Davila, her brother Frank Merrell and her sister-in-law, Geneva Shepherd Gaither.

She is preceded in death by her father, William “Bill” Merrell, and mother Dolly Merrell and her husband, Dewey Morris. Her siblings that also preceded her are Lilly Mae Merrell, Ellen Watkins, Lillian Morris, Chester Merrell, Alvin Perry, Allen Perry, Julian Kirkwood, Rosalee Smith, Jesse Merrell and Bobby Merrell. She is also survived by a multitude of cousins, nephews and nieces too numerous to list.