Mrs. Juanita “Jim” Morris, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 22, 2020, (losing a race with her sister to make it to the age of 93). Although it is a sad time for those left behind we take comfort in knowing that she is rejoicing in the presence of her Lord whom she has always been so proud to proclaim and that she has been reunited with her husband Paul. Ms. Jim was born and raised in Marion County as the seventh child of Nathan Cornelius Morris and Ida Belzora Shaw on January 24, 1933, and never strayed far from home. Growing up with 7 siblings she learned to be tough and scrappy which served her well when playing basketball. She graduated Improve High School in 1951 where she played junior high and varsity basketball and held the record for the most points scored in a single game (48) until Linda Burt Watts took it over in 1963 with a score of 50. She also played for Pearl River Junior College and received her teaching and athletic degree from William Carey University. In her own words she married, “the best looking man I ever saw,” on September 18, 1954.
Ms. Jim was a beloved coach and teacher who took a personal interest in her students and continued to be a friend and mentor to many of them throughout her life. She was a big fan of all the athletic programs at Columbia Academy where she and Paul attended nearly every game for many years and were eventually awarded lifetime passes, their own parking spot, and dedicated seating.
They were just as committed to serving God and attended Improve Baptist Church all their lives. She was always up for teaching a class or serving on a committee. If something needed to be done around the church, you could count on Ms. Jim to be the first one there and the last to leave. Still, somehow she found time for other interest such as cooking. She cooked for church events, for the sick, for those who had lost a loved one, to celebrate the birth of a child and any other occasion she felt was appropriate. Which is why she left this world a rather large estate of cookbooks. Actually, Ms. Jim had several other hobbies, as would anyone who found it difficult to stay in one spot very long. All these hobbies involved her family and friends, which was a circle that kept continually growing.
When she walks into that new life she will be greeted by her husband, Paul Curwood Morris, who was by her side for 64 years; parents, Nathan and Ida Morris; sisters, Leola Boone, Marilyn Jean Thompson, and Helyn Watts; and brothers, Rube Morris, Joe Morris, and Jack Morris. She will be missed by her daughters, Paula (Gerald) Haddox and Pam (Tony) Thornton; a son, Art (Debbie) Morris; a brother, Gary (Mary) Morris; six grandchildren, Michael (Oksana) Thornton, Garrett (Laura) Haddox, Russell (Monica) Thornton, Brian Haddox, Drew (Brittany) Haddox, and Emily Thornton; ten great grandchildren, Haley, Hunter, Brinlee, Presley, Audrey, Tehya, Oliver, Isaac, Addie and Savannah; and great-great nephew Gage Thompson.
Visitation for Ms. Jim will be Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11:00am on Monday, October 26, 2020 at Improve Baptist Church where friends may visit with the family for one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery assisted by Chip Griner, Joey Burt, Allen Brewer, Allen Thompson, Mark McDaniel, and Kendall Morris serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Ms. Jim can be made to The Baptist Children’s Village at: www.baptistchildrensvillage.com or The American Cancer Society at: www.cancer.org.
