Evelyn P. Morris

Evelyn was born during the Great Depression to W.J. Bryan Proffitt and Kathrine Newton on February 10, 1927 in Walsenburg, Co. a small coal mining community in Huerfano County. The youngest of 3 biological siblings and one adopted brother, Maxine, Buddy and Carl, she grew up independent and ready to meet the world. She started out young helping to support the family, working as a mothers helper, then at various job through out high school. After graduating she moved to Southern California to be near her brother Buddy who was in the Navy. While there she met her future husband, William (Bill) Brannen, who was a friend of Buddy’s. After the war ended they got married on December 27, 1945 and moved to South Carolina and soon began their family. First came Evelyn (Kathy), named after her mom, then two years later they welcomed Loretta Lu. They thought they were done but along came little Billy, named after Dad. In the late 50’s they moved west to Colorado and Evelyn needed a partner in crime so they had Sylvia, their little “Damn Yankee”. In the early 60’s they decided they weren’t west enough so they headed to California and eventually settling for good in Oregon. After moving to Sandy Evelyn and Bill divorced and Evelyn began her career working for the Sandy school district working her way up to being the first woman head custodian. In the late 70’s she married Hollis Morris and moved to Portland. She retired from the school district in 1987. This gave Evelyn more time to pursue her more fun interests. She loved to dance! She enjoyed being with her friends, playing cards, traveling and did we mention dancing? She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Kathy’s kids, Mary and Eric, Loretta’s two kids, Michael and Wendy and in later years Melissa, Matthew, Danny and Jimmy born to Sylvia. The marriage to Hollis was not a match made in heaven so a few years later she called it a day and began to enjoy life on her own.

In 1996 Evelyn became a great grandmother for the first time when Dylan was born to Mary. Sylvia’s daughter Melissa soon followed suit with Chenoa, then Makaya, Violet and Hunter. In 2007 Eric finally got with the program and gave us Creeley. She found much joy in this new batch of kids but as always liked them in “small doses”. In 2004 Evelyn’s son Bill passed away after a long battle with illness. This was a difficult time for Evelyn but she found solace in remembering him at the Oregon Coast which he loved. In 2007 it was time for Evelyn to have a someone take care of her for a change. She moved into a family care home in Gresham where she had the opportunity to live with her daughter Loretta and her granddaughter Wendy. Her favorite times were walking at the mall, a long time passion of hers, visiting her friends and passing out candies. She had recently been enjoying her visits to the Gresham Senior Center. She was liked and well looked after by all the volunteers and Ride drivers. She really appreciated all the friendly people she encountered along the way.

The family wants to thank everyone who was so kind to her in her journey.

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.