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Willia Mae Morrison, 105
Willia Mae Morrison passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, January 6, 2022. She was born in Faison, N.C. on July 22, 1916. She was the first-born child of eight children along with her twin brother Willie. Willia Mae's parents were Maylon Hobbs Sanders and John Needham Sanders.
Willia Mae graduated from Sampson County Training High School located in Clinton, N.C. She played high school basketball and later coached basketball at the high school level. One of her teams reached the state play-off level of competition.
Upon graduating from high school, Willia Mae attended Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina where she received her B.A. degree in elementary education. She learned in 2021 that she was one of the oldest living graduates of Elizabeth City State University. ECSU alumus Leonard Carmichael kept her alma mater informed about her and arranged for the college to send her many gifts for her 100th birthday celebration.
After college, Willia Mae taught fourth grade in segregated schools in Louisville, Kentucky and in North Carolina. She enjoyed a successful career for thirty-three years as a Philadelphia Public School teacher. While working full-time and raising her family, Willia Mae returned to college and received a M.A. degree in education from Temple University.
Willia Mae met and married Luther W. Morrison and they raised two sons Randy and Ritchie. �
Willia Mae was a sixty-year member at National Temple Baptist Church in Philadelphia. At National Temple, she was the former president of the Trustee Aides and Pastor's Aides and was president of the Willing Workers Association for twenty-five years. In addition, she served as church secretary for ten years, was a member of the Hospitality Club, the Flower Club and was chairperson several times for the Annual Women's Day Celebration.
In her later years, she resided with her son Randy and his family in Ewing where she joined St. John's Baptist Church. She loved her new church, made great friends and participated in the St. John's Missionary Board.
Travel was one of Willia Mae's passions. She helped chaperone many of her daughter-in-law's Trenton Central High School student trips to France, England, Spain and Switzerland. With her family and friends, she traveled to Nevada, California, Canada, Brazil, Hawaii, Aruba and several islands in the Caribbean.
Willia Mae participated in numerous organizations in her community. She was a founding member and Worthy Matron of Mabel M. Keys Chapter #99 of Eastern Stars in Philadelphia.
Willia Mae was predeceased by her parents Maylon Hobbs Sanders and John Needham Sanders, her brothers Willie Sanders, Arthur Sanders, Deacon James Sanders, and Deacon John Sanders; her sisters Vera Hardy, Madie B. Thompson and twin Mazie Thompson. She leaves to cherish her memory her sons Luther "Randy" Morrison (Jerri), Ritchie Morrison; grandchildren Luqman Abdallah (Angela); Marques Morrison (Barb), Justin Morrison (Joann), great grandchildren Shawn Dunn Brown, Kaeden Abdallah, Kendrix Abdallah, Tamblyn Morrison, Joshua Morrison and Alexis Morrison, godson Sherman Sanders, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives, National Temple Baptist and St. John's Baptist Church families, Mabel M. Keys Chapter #99 members and her superb caretaker Mirian Ajanel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Young Scholars’ Institute at 349 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618.
Service
Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Calling Hours (Viewing): 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Location: Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08618
Officiant: Reverend Dr. Vincent H. Jackson (St. John’s Baptist Church)
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