Phyllis Sharon Morris

PHYLLIS SHARON MORRIS was born on April 1, 1946 in Sandusky, Ohio. She was the youngest of ten children born to the union of Robert White and Harriet Nelson White. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sandusky, where she also received her formal education, graduating from Sandusky High School.

In 1963, right after high school, Phyllis enlisted into the United States Navy. She received her boot camp training at Great Lakes Naval Station of Illinois, where she joined the nurse training program. Her first duty station was in Maryland, at the Bethesda Navy Hospital, where she continued her nursing training, ultimately earning her Registered Nurse license.  In 1969, Phyllis received her Honorable Discharge.

While in the Navy, Phyllis united in marriage with Paul Morris of the United States Marine Corps on September 21, 1968. They eventually settled in her hometown, Sandusky, Ohio. In June of 1980, her husband relocated to San Diego, California, where he was offered a promising job position. Phyllis joined him a week later, making San Diego their permanent resident. In 1985, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, whom they named Lisa Ashley.

Upon moving to San Diego, Phyllis began working for Mission Bay Hospital and also furthered her education at UCSD, earning her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. From early life, the well-being of children was always a concern, and passion of Phyllis. In 1997, she began working with San Diego County, Tayari African American Adoptions Service, placing African-American children with African-American adoptive parents. Her role, along with her sisters of Tayari, in providing African-American children with good homes was widely-known as a responsibility she honored and cherished.

Phyllis was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and the best friend one could ever have.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents; two sisters, Shirley Jemison and Marilyn White; six brothers: Danny, Sclee, Levi, Melvin, Waudell and Frederick White.

On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, Phyllis Sharon Morris was called from earthly labors to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband of fifty-two years, Paul Morris; a loving daughter, Lisa Ashley Morris; one sister, Ms. Lurlay Mills of Richmond, CA; one brother, Frank White (Willa) of Dayton, Ohio; two grandsons, Jehlani Morris and Shani Morris, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends who will mourn her passing, yet celebrate her legacy.

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