Obituary of Mavis G. Morris

Mavis Gwendoline Morris (nee Ellison) 93 of Vineland, passed away at the Inspira Medical Center, Vineland on Friday, April 13, 2018. Mavis was born and raised in Albion, Manchester, Jamaica and was an adored member of the Community there. A Certified Community Health Aide, she was referred to as the "Florence Nightingale of Albion" because of her kind, nurturing ways, and because she was a true friend to persons of all ages. A very talented individual, Mavis enjoyed drawing, designing and creating beautiful embroidered clothing for ladies. She was an expert at knitting, tatting, cooking and baking. She also had a special passion for gardening. She loved to share her tips with others, and taught many persons knitting, tatting and machine embroidery. Mavis married her childhood schoolmate, Leonard James Morris in 1954, and together they raised nine children, plus three of her grandchildren (Delroy, Alexia and Dino). She was also entrusted with the task of raising a special younger cousin, Keith (whom she called her son) and her nephew, Audley. Mavis and her husband embraced the Seventh-day Adventist faith in the late 1950s and generously offered their home, and later a plot of land for the establishment of the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Albion. A woman who had the greatest respect for education, Mavis instilled the love of books in all her children and it is to her credit that all of them are trained professionals in their various fields today. After the death of her husband in 1997, Mavis moved to Vineland, New Jersey, where her beautiful spirit and winsome smile drew her to scores of persons. She turned her attention to helping her daughter, Charmaine to raise her son, Travis, and took personal pride in his varied musical accomplishments. Mavis leaves behind her sons, Edgar (Cheddie), Wayne (Jas) and Norton (Denise); her daughters; Gloria, Millicent, Charmaine (Robert), Donna, Vivien (Albert) and Imani; 1 brother; Hector (Carol), 24 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; 2 sisters in law, (Lucille and Rose), 1 brother in law; Vincent (Mayda); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She was predeceased by her brother, Kenneth. A celebration for her long and fruitful life will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at the SDA Church Newtonville, 955 Route 54, Newtonville, NJ 08346. Viewing will commence at 10:00 a.m and end at 12:00 noon. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 noon. Please wear a touch of red, as it was Mavis' favorite color. Interment will take place at the Siloam Cemetery, Vineland on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made towards the completion of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Albion, Manchester, Jamaica. Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave. Vineland. Memories and expressions of sympathy may be sent to dlfuneral.com.