Obituaries - April 1, 1997

Edna Morris, a longtime Ventura resident who once taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Oklahoma, has died. She was 89.

Born on Sept. 3, 1907, in Konowa, Okla., Morris moved with her husband to Ventura County in 1939. She was a college graduate and a trained schoolteacher, but getting a California teaching credential while raising a family of five children proved difficult. Instead, Morris became a beautician and started Edna’s Beauty Shop.

Morris was a gifted gardener who raised flowers and vegetables. She was also known for making delicious preserves.

“She made the best jam in the world,” said her daughter, Mary Lu Kornder of Ventura. “I loved her apricot jam, and she made a lot of strawberry preserves for friends and family.”

Never one to miss a parade, Morris walked long distances to get a good seat.

“Every year they have a parade for the Ventura County Fair, and she always went,” Kornder said. “She would put on her big bonnet, tuck a folding chair under her arm and walk three-quarters of a mile to the parade route.”

Although Morris no longer taught in a classroom, as a volunteer with Project Understanding she used her skills to help children in needy families learn to read. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ventura, and traveled to Israel with church members.

In addition to Kornder, Morris is survived by three daughters, Kathryn Jones of La Habra, Imogene O’Hara of Ventura and Glenda Morris of Oxnard; and a son, Roscoe Morris of Ukiah. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m Thursday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura, with Alfred Van Selow of the Japanese Baptist Church of Seattle officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Project Understanding, 43 E. Vince St., Ventura 93001.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.