Detra Yvonne Morris

On Friday, December 25, 1953, a beautiful baby girl arrived and she was named Detra Yvonne Branch. Affectionately known as “Dee Dee”, she was the third of eight children born to the late Robert Lee and Annye Lee Branch. She was a “Bossy” baby as her father would say.

Dee Dee was educated in the Chicago Public School System where she graduated from Low Upper Grade Center and Fenger High School.

At a very early age, Detra confessed a hope in Christ and was baptized and joined the Omega Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Brewer. Later, she became a member of New Friendship MB Church under the leadership of Pastor Stroy Freeman. As a teenager, she proudly served on the Junior and Intermediate Usher Boards. As an adult, Detra joined Sure Way MB Church under the leadership of Pastor Eddie M. Miller and her current pastor Dr. Eleanor Stewart. Detra always cherished her church home and loved working with the Annual Summer Tea, also serving on the First Aid Board, Trustee Board, and Pastor's Aid Board until her illness limited her participation.

Bringing her sharpness and skills to any position she held, Detra worked many jobs throughout her lifetime; the U.S. Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service, and various Currency Exchanges throughout the Chicagoland area.

Born to Detra were three children Debra, Trecia, and Joe. She was that Mom, that sacrificed everything for her children always teaching the importance of family love. She was that, Grandmother that always had a story to tell and was there when Mom or Dad said “No”. She was that Sister, that was motherly and in charge when Mom and Dad were gone. She was that, Auntie “Dee Dee” making herself available in any way possible giving advice and showing love wherever needed. She was that, “Fun” Cousin that you had that special relationship with. She was that, “Friend” that you could depend on and always treated you like family. To give you a clearer picture of who Detra was, when her brother Robert’s first wife (Winne) died, she moved her family into his home for three years to help him care for his six children. She put her own life on hold, which definitely was not an easy thing to do, but for the love of her family that was Detra.

On September 28, 2016 at 12:45 a.m. after years of battling her illness, with her family at her bedside in a circle of love Detra was called home to be with the Lord.

She leaves to cherish her memory three children; Debra (Kendall) McMiller, Trecia (Sean) Heart and Joe Palmer; seven grandchildren; Julius, Shannah, Indigo, Caitlyn, Jaylah, Taylor and Gabriella; five great grandchildren A'Niyah, Paris, Jamayah, Armani and Jaiden; eight siblings: Robert (Lucinda), Steven (Sandra), Rev. Diane, Tonya, Elton, Michael, Fredrick and Robin; two God children: Patrick and Sahvanna; her best friend of over thirty years Lillian, one close family friend Mrs. Palmer, one special Caregiver Taisha; three special cousins: Brenda, Gloria and Rochelle a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Arrangements under the direction of Kenny Brothers Funeral Directors, Evergreen Park, IL.