Betty Morris

Betty Morris, age 67, of Stratford, Oklahoma, passed away in her Springfield, Missouri home on the morning of Saturday, December 3, 2011. Betty is survived by her husband, Kevin Morris, her sister, Wanda Sproul of Ridgedale, MO, her son, Stanley Gentry of Reeds Spring, MO and her grand-daughter, ZealonGentry-Lear of Springfield.

Betty attended school in Stratford, Oklahoma and married one of her classmates, Sam Gentry. After her son, Stanley, started school, she attended Central State University getting her degree in Elementary Education. She later received a Masters of Education at East Central University. Betty had a long career as an elementary school teacher in the Oklahoma City and Pauls Valley school districts, devoting herself to children with special needs.

Betty remarried after her son finished college. She and Kevin remained happily married for 22 years.

Betty loved all celebrations, especially Christmas. She and Kevin would decorate their home from top to bottom and couldn’t resist giving Christmas gifts early, sometimes even before Thanksgiving.

Betty and Kevin established a home in Springfield in 2007 to be near family and enjoy their role as grandparents. She was a devoted grandmother and spent many hours playing with Zealon. Betty’s penchant for teaching showed through and Zealon continues to thrive in school with the strong background Betty gave her in reading and math.

Betty loved to swim. She had a pool at her farm in Stratford and then continued to swim at St. John’s Fitness Center-Sports Medicine after she and Kevin moved to Springfield.

Betty Morris: Loving wife, generous soul. She will be missed by all who loved her.

Services will take place in Stratford, Oklahoma later in December.