Dr. Cheryl Haun Morris

Published 1:02 pm Friday, August 28, 2020

Dr. Cheryl Haun Morris, Ph.D. passed away early Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. She had been ill for several months and finally died of complications of the COVID-19 virus.

As a lifelong educator, Cheryl was active in her church as the organizer of vacation bible schools and creative arts festivals, as well as coach of Bible Bowl teams. She said that teaching was her mission in life and dedicated herself to children and young adults, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. She also instilled in her own children a love of learning and concern for others.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, The Very Rev. Dr. John Warren Morris, retired Pastor of St. Georges Antiochian Orthodox Church; her son, Dr. Matthew Morris; and her daughter Elizabeth Morris, LPC, both of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Maria Sophia Morris Audette, the daughter of Elizabeth and her husband Brian Audette.

Cheryl was born in California and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and Enid, Okla. She is a graduate of Enid High School and has a BS degree from Philips University. She earned her MA and Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla.

Her doctoral dissertation, a biography of the Tulsa oilman John Rodgers, was published by the University of Oklahoma Press.

She also wrote several articles for scholarly publications such as The Journal of the West. She has taught at several colleges and universities including Austin Community College, Hellenic College and Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. She has taught high school, specializing in helping disadvantaged students in Fort Wayne, Ind., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Canton Ohio, Shreveport, La. and Missouri City, Texas. In Vicksburg, she taught at Warren Central and St. Aloysius High Schools.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, burial will be following a private family service at the City Cemetery under the direction of Fisher-Riles Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to St. Georges Antiochian Church, 2709 Washington St. Vicksburg, MS 39180.