Shirley Mae Morris, 81, of Ravenna, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023, after a short illness. During her life and leading to her passing, she had been surrounded by, and comforted and cared for by family members who had been devoted to her.
Born January 31, 1942, in Athens, Ohio to the late Emmett Whan and Louise (Tedrow) Ott, Shirley had lived in Ravenna since 1972. In 2019 she retired from the James A. Garfield School District as the head custodian at the high school after serving the district for over 30 years. She attended the Ravenna Church of Christ for many years where she also served as a custodian. She was a lifelong avid reader, she also enjoyed playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, crocheting, walking, and hiking.
Shirley was preceded in death by her father Emmett Whan, her mother Louise and Louise’s husband Lee Ott, her husband Larry Morris, Sr., her infant daughter Terri, and her brother Ken Whan. Survivors include her children Larry (Tara) Morris, Jr., Gary Morris, Sherri Smith, Kathleen (Dan) D’Sidocky, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and siblings Dorothy Cousins, Sheila (Dave) Rogers, Arlene (Ron) Stone, Mary Lee (Bud) Hough, Pat Sienko, Debbie Ziegler and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and more. She loved her family fiercely and made a tremendous and lasting impact on them and everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who loved her; they know she will continue to always walk beside them.
Memorial calling hours were Saturday, December 16th and followed by a memorial service at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel. She will be laid to rest at a later date at Hillside Cemetery in Mantua, Ohio.