Adrienne Bianca Morris

Adrienne Bianca (Ragsdale) Morris was born October 11, 1981, in St. Louis, Missouri, her father’s hometown and also where he was currently stationed with the United States Marine Corps. Sixteen months later, her brother Sean was born and the little family of four spent their first three years together in the St. Louis area. Upon her father’s military transfer to Okinawa, Japan, Adrienne’s mother moved the children back to her hometown of Tustin, California, to be close to her family during Adrienne’s father’s military deployment.

Adrienne and Sean began preschool together and there Adrienne’s love for reading began. You could always find her curled up with a book, and once she got hooked on an author, she had to read the entire series, often reading after bedtime by flashlight. She so enjoyed the friends she made at summer camp and afterschool care, going to the beach and swimming pool, participating in camp competitions with the other local parks of Irvine. Adrienne loved to dance and roller skate while listening to music on her Walkman. She began playing the cello in 4th grade but lost interest after a few years.

Just before her sixth grade year, Adrienne’s father was transferred to Columbus, Ohio. She was very sad to leave the beach and she would miss her grandma Ro very much. The family journeyed across the country via two automobiles, equipped with a canoe atop each. Adrienne and Sean took turns riding with each parent. They camped out along the way and saw all the sights. Adrienne didn’t care much for camping, preferring instead hotels with swimming pools. Upon arriving to the small town of Hilliard, Ohio she asked, “where is everybody?” saying everyone looked the same and wondered where had the diversity gone. Adrienne rode her bicycle to and from school during the spring and fall, only taking the school bus when it snowed. Within a year of moving to Ohio, Adrienne’s brother Walter was born. She was a big helper with her new brother and read to him often.

At the end of middle school, the family was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and again made the journey via two automobiles, driving down the east coast where Adrienne was so excited to see the ocean once more. She began high school by trying out for cheerleading and making the squad as a freshman. Adrienne went to cheer camp and made friends before the school year even began. While in high school, she joined the Drama Club, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She also volunteered at the Camp Lejeune Base Library – as an avid reader it was another favorite place. Adrienne graduated high school with honors and set her sights on a college as far away from home as possible but still within the state - UNC Asheville. Her brother Sean went to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, not too far away.

Adrienne majored in theatre while at UNCA. Her dorm mates were wonderful students who became some of her life-long friends. She completed college within a four-year term, earning her bachelor’s degree in performing arts, with a minor in photography. During college, Adrienne’s father was transferred to Kansas City, MO, and upon Adrienne’s graduation, received orders to Okinawa, Japan. Instead of venturing out into the world at that time, Adrienne decided to keep her mother and Walter company while her father was overseas and brother Sean was at college.

Adrienne used her college minor to obtain a job at H&H Color Labs in Raytown, where she worked for a little over 10 years, and where she met her best friend Jeannie. Adrienne moved into an apartment when her father returned from deployment and was finally out on her own. She bought herself a brand new Toyota Scion XB which she named “Yakuza.” It was her pride and joy. Adrienne joined a comedy troupe and performed with them monthly at the Gem Theatre in Kansas City for a while, and you could find her almost every weekend dancing at Funky Town. Adrienne enjoyed going to craft shows and developed a love of jewelry beading. She also loved movies, with The Princess Bride, Legend, and Willow being a few old favorites.

At age 26, Adrienne met and fell in love with her soul mate, Anthony Morris. They dated for four months before moving in together and marrying in 2011. Adrienne made all of the jewelry she wore at her wedding. She chose blue swede Nikes as “something blue” and an orange prom dress instead of the standard white. She and Anthony were now “The A Team.” Adrienne also began a new career in finance at this time and worked with DST (now SS&C Technologies). In 2014, Adrienne gave birth to the ultimate love of her life, their son Zane. Adrienne loved being a wife and a mother. Family was her number one priority at all times. They were now known as “From A to Z.”

Adrienne was a bright light to everyone who knew her, from early childhood to the time of her passing. She was a joy to anyone she met. A wonderful wife and fiercely loving mother. A beloved granddaughter. A loving and compassionate daughter and sister. An exemplary friend. Caring always for the underdog and willing to stand up for anyone berated, always volunteering to help those in need of assistance.

She often joked why her parents had more children, stating, “I am the golden child.” And indeed, she was.

Adrienne Bianca (Ragsdale) Morris, Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of the 10th of January, 2023.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1:00 pm at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri, 64133.

Memorial service will be held following the visitation at 2:00 pm at the same location

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope House Hope House, PO Box 577, Lee's Summit, Missouri 64063 US, https://www.unitedwaygkc.org/get-involved/give

Adrienne was preceded in death by her great grandparents Louis and Elsie Zimmer (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ), grandfather Duncan Everette (Tarpon Springs, FL), grandfather Gene Ragsdale (St. Louis), grandmother Monica (Ragsdale) Witte (St. Louis), cousin Joshua Beneke (St. Louis), and her aunt Aimee Ragsdale (St. Louis).

Adrienne is survived by her husband Anthony Morris, and their son Zane, her parents Sean and Trynnel (Everette) Ragsdale (Raytown, MO), her brothers Sean Duncan Ragsdale (Burnsville, MN) and Walter Ragsdale (KCMO), her grandmother Rosemarie (Zimmer, Everette) Shultz (Tustin, CA), her uncles Duncan Vernon Everette (Nashville, TN), Joe and Damon Ragsdale, her aunts Debbie (Ragsdale) Benecke, Becky Ragsdale, Judith (Ragsdale) Moorefield, cousins Jason Benecke, Lauren and Keegan Ragsdale, all of the St. Louis area, Ana Perez (NM), and Kayti Everette (Galesburg, IL).

In lieu of flowers the family requests live plants.