Ruthie Bell Pitts Morris, was born on January 29, 1937, in Bernice, LA, the third child of James Monroe Pitts and Ruth McGee Pitts. Ruthie grew up in a loving Christian environment that merged home and church, where she saw love in action. At a very young age, she gave her life to Christ and united with the New Hopewell Baptist Church in Bernice, LA.
Ruthie graduated 2nd in her class from Elliot High School (Bernice, LA) in 1956. She enrolled at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA in the Fall Semester of 1956 where she majored in Music.
After graduating from Southern in May, 1960, she was hired as a music teacher at Mayfield High School in Homer, LA. On June 24, 2961, Ruthie married Edward A. Morris. To this union, four children were born: Gena, LaFrienre O’Keith, Connie, and Neisha.
Ruthie worked in the public school system for 32-1/2 years. She worked in Claiborne Parish, Webster Parish, Union Parish and retired in Webster Parish as in 1995.
Ruthie was a loving, devout and devoted Christian mother, musician and First Lady. She played piano and organ for many churches in her life span including for the Mt. Zion #2 Baptist Church of Dubach, LA where her husband was Pastor for 37 years.
Ruthie or Miss Morris, as she was affectionately known, will always live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her.
Ruthie was called to eternal rest on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Her legacy of memories will be left with her loving husband of 53 years, Rev. Edward A. Morris; three daughters, Gena Morris Bradford, Washington, DC, Connie L. Morris, Birmingham, AL and Neshia L. Morris, Minden, LA; one son, LaFrienre O’Keith Morris, Shreveport, LA; one devoted sister, Dorothy Pitts Fitch, Bastrop, LA; one brother, David Monroe Pitts (Doris), Baton Rouge, LA; two grandsons, Brandon N. Bradford, Beijing China, and Michael A. Bradford, Birmingham, AL; one aunt, Revia Carodine, Junction City, AR; one special niece, Faye Morris Ligon, San Antonio, TX; one god-brother, Dean P. Bell (Ann), Atlanta, GA; one god-sister, Windsor Bell Wimbish (Greg), Houston, TX and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Home-going Celebration Service for Mrs. Ruthie Pitts Morris will be held Saturday, May 23, 1:00 p.m. at the St. Rest Baptist Church with Rev. Julius R. Sumler, officiating. Interment will follow at the Sheppard Street Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Kennon’s Mortuary.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 P.M. in Kennon’s Mortuary Chapel. Family Hour will be held from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the St. Rest Baptist Church.
Email condolences may be sent to [email protected].