Myrtle Adell Morris
Myrtle Adell Morris delighted the students at Ridgeway Elementary School with her cooking for 33 years.
Baking was her specialty. Her students affectionately called her “Miss Myrtle” and knew it was her special seasoning that made school food tasty.
To her daughter, Rachel Bischoff, she was “the best cook in the whole world.”
Mrs. Morris died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. She was 84.
She was born Oct. 5, 1923, in Columbia to Ambrose and Gertrude Hathman.
She married David C. Morris on Feb. 17, 1944. She attended Columbia Public Schools, including Ridgeway Elementary. She and her husband were lifelong residents of Columbia, except during a period when he served in World War II. Mrs. Morris was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Although she retired in 1986, former Ridgeway students would stop and talk when they saw her.
“She was a very happy, very lovable woman,” Bischoff said.
“Daddy was the boss, but Mom took care of us. When she cooked at home, she always prepared enough for any army.”
Mrs. Morris is survived by her husband; two daughters, Rachel Bischoff and Rita Wolters, both of Jefferson City; two sisters, Betty Coleman and Pricilla Crane, both of Columbia; two brothers, Ambrose Hathman Jr. and Bobby Hathman, both of Columbia; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Her sisters Madeline Nichols, Maryetta Hunt, Helen Gholson and Lurline Carnes died earlier.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. A graveside service will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
