Audrey G. Morphis

Our mom, Audrey “Jeri” Morphis of Wichita, Ks passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at the age of 90. She was born in Madison, Ks to Bryon Warrenburg and Hattie (Garriott) Warrenburg. Her parents were farmers. Mom loved to tell stories of helping her mom in the kitchen to feed the farm hands. Mom’s beloved horse “Silver” was her transportation to and from school. Upon graduating from Emporia High School, she moved to Wichita where she met Alvin “Bill” Morphis. They married in January 1952 and were married for 68 years until his passing in 2020. They had three children, Linda, Bill, and Brenda.

Mom’s first career was working in the food industry. She was a carhop at 16 while attending High School. When she moved to Wichita in 1952 she started working for Jack Sidman’s Restaurants. Orville Grill is where she met the love of her life. She later managed Holiday Inn, Lazy R, and Brown’s Grill. She was the manager of Macy’s Tea Room until it closed in 1973. She continued to work for Macy’s until 1979, when she went to work for Beech Aircraft and retired 20 years later. But the career that she loved the most was her dog grooming shop, Buffer’s Boutique. She groomed dogs for over 30 years and was heartbroken when her health forced her to close up shop. She had a love of all dogs, but especially poodles. Mom and Dad rescued a poodle named Benji. He was mom’s constant and loyal companion up until her final days.

Mom and Dad had a love of camping at Cheney. They camped for over 40 years, starting out with a tent and moving up to a fully equipped travel trailer. If we wanted to see them on the weekend we would head to Cheney. They say it was the best time of their lives to spend time making new friends and keeping up with old friends. It was a treat to listen to their friends tell us about what antics our parents had been up to. Once they could no longer camp, time was spent on Sunday mornings with a family breakfast.

Our mom will be remembered as a strong fierce soul. She taught her children the value of a strong work ethic as she was taught by her mom.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill and son in law, Jim McNeill. She leaves behind her beloved poodle Benji; children: Linda (Jim) McNeill, Bill Morphis (Liz Unruh) and Brenda Bishop (Richard), several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to the Kansas Humane Society.

A visitation will be held Monday, Febuary 6, 2023. 5pm-7pm at Resthaven Mortuary.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10 A.M. with a graveside to follow at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, Ks 67209.