Nancy Johnson Morris

Nancy Johnson Morris, 91, widow of William H. Morris died August 26th, 2023, surrounded by her family at Allen Morgan Health and Rehabilitation Center, Memphis Tennessee. Mrs. Morris was the daughter of Nancy and Armpstead Johnson of Henderson, Tennessee. She grew up in Henderson and was educated in the public schools, graduating as valedictorian from Chester County High School in 1950. She attended the University of Mississippi, was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta sorority and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1953. She married William Morris of Jackson, Tennessee, on February 20, 1954.

Mrs. Morris was a teacher of English and history in both public and private schools for over 20 years in Jackson, where she was active in church, civic and political affairs. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and the Jackson Service League. She was cochair of the Tennessee Young Republicans and was a member of the Madison County GOP Executive Committee. During the 1970's she served as precinct chair for presidential, senatorial, and congressional campaigns. Mrs. Morris served as political liaison for the Jackson Education Association, was a member of the Tennessee Educational Association and the National Education Association. She was also a member of Delta, Kappa, Gamma, a national honorary educational sorority.

Mr. and Mrs. Morris moved to Washington, D.C., in 1981 when Mr. Morris was appointed as Assistant Secretary of the U. S. Department of Commerce by President Ronald Reagan. During that time, Mrs. Morris held a position with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where she did research, writing and editing. She was a White House Volunteer and a volunteer at the National Republican Headquarters for the presidential elections of 1980, 1984 and 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Morris continued to enjoy living in Washington for ten years during the 1980's and their lives were further enriched as they travelled extensively in Europe and Asia.

They returned to Tennessee in 1990, living in Memphis where Mrs. Morris served in several volunteer positions. In 1991, she was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, which honors outstanding seniors from across the nation. Mrs. Morris was a docent at Dixon Gallery & Gardens and a tutor at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She was a former member of the Women's Exchange of Memphis and the Board of the Memphis Library Foundation. She was an active member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, the Watauga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and The Colonial Dames of America.

Mr. and Mrs. Morris moved to a home in the Trezevant Manor retirement community in 2006, and she immediately immersed herself in Trezevant's volunteer activities. She served as President of the Residents Association and volunteered at Dottie's Digs, a fundraising enterprise for the Trezevant Foundation.

Mrs. Morris will be remembered as a true Southern lady, a loyal friend, a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-three years, Bill; a young son, John Harrell Morris, her parents, brother, John A. Johnson; sister-In-law, Glenda Johnson, brother-in-law, Herron P. Morris, and sister-in-law, Betty Morris.

She is survived by a son, G. Robert Morris (Karen), Memphis; daughter, Mary Morris Johnson, Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, John Keaton Morris, Memphis, Rachel Elizabeth Morris, Memphis, Sophia Elizabeth Johnson, New York City.

There will be a graveside service on October 21 at 11:00 AM, at Highland Memorial Gardens, 3360 North Highland Avenue, Jackson, Tennessee. A reception and gathering will follow at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 177 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 480 South Highland St., Memphis, 38111, Trezevant Manor Foundation, 177 North Highland St., Memphis, 38111, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, 38105.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Morris family.