Edna Lois Morrison

Edna Lois Smith was born on October 7, 1933, to Albert and Hattie Smith who were farmers in rural West Texas. She was the second youngest of seven children, Guy, Ernest, Leonard, Earl, Jenny Fay (Mortenson), and Floyd Lee.

Edna married Vernon James Morrison on July 3, 1949, and they made their home in Portales, New Mexico. During their 61-year marriage, they worked proudly and happily, side by side in all their adventures. First at Morrison and Son Furniture Store, then on their North Portales farm purchased in 1961, all while managing several rental properties. They raised four children, Kenneth Earl, Alta Verlois, Letha Faye, and Dona Mae. Between weeks spent hoeing peanut rows in the red fields of New Mexico, the family enjoyed weekends full of fresh air and mountain trails at Pine Lodge. They were no strangers to hard work, but they sure knew how to appreciate God’s blessings. They also enjoyed giving watermelon parties and corn roasts for their family and friends, which were quite popular affairs.

Edna and Vernon were faithful members of the University Drive Church of Christ (later relocated and named the Portales Valley Church of Christ.) Their faith, love, and commitment to God were very important parts of their life together.

After they officially retired from farming in the early '70's, Edna and Vernon maintained a few acres of gardens, horse pasture, and a family favorite, pecan trees. They loved trail rides, camping, hunting, and fishing. Edna would bury a whole roast in hot coals underground, spend the day off in the woods hunting and riding, then show up at camp just in time to dig up dinner.

Most of all, she loved visiting with her family and friends. She was an especially dedicated grandmother to 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings, her husband Vernon, son Kenneth, and daughter Alta.

She is survived by daughters, Letha Fink (Edward, dec.) and Dona Skinner (Jon), and daughter-in-law, Sherry; grandchildren, Kelli Coats (Trace), J.D. Crocker, Hattie Skinner, Ben Morrison (Audrey), Carrie Blackwell (Falcon), Michael Fink, Newt Skinner (Melanie), Matthew Fink, Erin Skinner, Adam Morrison (Stephanie), Brandy Morrison, Angela Feather (Timothy), and Genesis Rendon. Also, a whole mess of great-grandchildren, Bailey and Morgan Morrison, Logan, Kelsey and Ian Morrison, Eric (Morgan) and Jason Coats, Dustin Evaro and Zoe Turner (Zach), Taylor, Kegan and Maddie Skinner, Credence and Saylor Dean, Piper and Chloe Blackwell, Keara and Mekiah Fink, Claira Fink, and Elizabeth and Evelyn Feather. Let's not forget her great-great grandchildren, Tristen, Carsyn, Kai, Kameron Coleson, Archer, and Adalynn.

Edna will be dearly missed by all.