Hon.
Dr. Joseph Getehmnah Morris, Sr. PhD
Sunrise: November 6, 1929
Sunset: September 10, 2009
The
Morris, Fahnbulleh and Tarpeh families regretfully
mourn the loss of their father, grandfather
and great grandfather Hon. Dr. Joseph Getehmnah
Morris Sr, former Liberian Ambassador to the
Republics of Sierra Leone and the Gambia 1978
- 1984 and former President of the University
of Liberia from August 1984 - October 1987 in
his 79th year. He died approximately 2:30 a.m.
Thursday, September 10, 2009, in Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
Dr.
Morris, as he was affectionately called by the
many who knew him passed away after several
years of battle with stroke and a prolonged
illness. The late Dr. Joseph Getehmnah Morris,
Sr. was born on November 6, 1929, unto the union
of NEGAR GONNELLEH and KEAMU GAYNE in KPOMGKPALA
Central Province near Gbarnga, Bong county Liberia.
His father predeceased him at a very early age
and his mother in 1973.
He is survived by his lovely wife of 50 years,
Cecelia Adelaide Pearce-Morris, his children,
Lucia C. Fahnbulleh (E. B. Fahnbulleh), Dr.
Joseph G. Morris Jr., PhD (Nenne Olu-Morris,
esq.) Clement K. Morris (Patricia Russell-Morris),
Charlene K. Tarpeh (Prof. Wilson K, Tarpeh),
Rachel S. Morris, Genelaide G. Morris, Barbara
N. Morris, Cecil N. Morris, Alexander Morris
Sr. and Arthur Morris, grand children Rancia
Cummings-Vohito, Joseph Fahnbulleh, Jambara
Qualah, Kau Guannu, Christal Morris, Yah Guannu,
Tanneh Tarpeh, Jenkins D. Yonly, Jr., Sansee
Morris, Jasmine E. Morris, Alexander Morris,
Kelvin Yonly, Ciana Fahnbulleh, Ciatu Fahnbulleh,
Ayana Morris, James E. Qualah II, Clemette Morris,
Jermaine Qualah, Daniel Tarpeh, Aina Tarpeh,
Shannon Tarpeh, Jr., Jarcee F. Hersey, Al Morris,
Francis Cummings and Enid Cummings. Great grand
Myer Sonkarley, Didier Vohito and Dominique
Vohito and his only surviving sister Mrs. Pahn
Borsay and one niece Konopka Sumo and a host
of other relatives in Liberia, Nigeria and in
the United States.
Dr.
Joseph G. Morris served his country faithfully
and was distinguished for his discipline, authority,
strict-forwardness and undemanding personalities.
He will be remembered for his unenviable career
as a distinguished diplomat and educator. He
served as Liberia's Ambassador to Sierra Leone
and the Gambia from January 1978 - August 1984
and was the doyen of the diplomatic corps. He
served as President of the University Of Liberia
from 1984 to 1987. After leaving the University
of Liberia, he served as Director of the World
Bank Project on Education at the Ministry of
Education from 1987 until he left the country
for the United States of America, due to the
civil uprising in 1990.
Prior
to those positions, he served the Liberian government
in many other capacities such as: Director for
Teacher's Education 1970 - 1974, Assistant Minister
for Instruction 1971 - 1974 and Deputy Minister
for Instruction 1975 - 1977 respectively - Ministry
of Education.
Aside
from his role in government, he was a devoted
family man and an ardent sports lover, especially
soccer (football). He raised, helped and educated
many children in Liberia. Dr. Morris was a caring
man who not only looked after the livelihood
of his immediate family, but was always concerned
about the welfare of many others. He was highly
respected and regarded by his scores of friends,
relatives, as well as many other Liberians for
his generosity. He loved watching the news.
He loved being with his lovely wife and spending
time with his grand kids passionately. He touched
the lives of many people with his smile and
maintained his trademark sense of humor all
the way to the end. Many will remember Dr. Morris
as a great philanthropist.
CHURCH AFFILIATION IN LIBERIA: In Liberia, he
was a devout member of the Eliza Turner Memorial
AME Church on Camp Johnson where he worshipped
and served the church faithfully and diligently
as a member of the deacon and Trustee boards
for many years until he departed for the USA.
SPORTS:
After returning home from his diplomatic assignments
in 1984, Dr. Morris took over the leadership
of one of the youngest and fastest growing soccer
team in Liberia, "The Liberian Black Stars",
for his love of the game and the need to help
kids whose sole desire was to play soccer and
to become professional players one day. He raised
the team from its formative years to a first
division team. The team under his leadership
developed talents like Kelvin Sebwe, Oliver
Makor, Josephus Kwiah, Alvin Power Kieh and
Dionysius Sebwe, who played or are playing international
soccer. During his time as President of the
Liberian Black stars, he encouraged players
to focus on education and develop skills for
a bright and rewarding future.
FUNERAL
ARRANGEMENTS
Friday,
October 16, 2009
4:00 pm
Removal of Body- Evans Nordby Funeral Home
6000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
WAKE
KEEPING
Friday, October 16, 2009
6pm - 10pm
7200 Brooklyn United Methodist Church
Brooklyn Boulevard, MN 55429
FUNERAL
SERVICE
Saturday, October 17, 2009
9:30am
7200 Brooklyn United Methodist Church
Brooklyn Boulevard, MN 55429
BURIAL
Saturday, October 17, 2009
3515 69th Ave No
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
These are the Group Code Hotels available
for the funeral
Super
8 (763) 566-9810
Northland Inn (763) 536-8300
Country Inns (763) 561-0900
AmericInn Lodge (888) 205-0958
Crowne Plaza (763) 566-8000
Comfort Inn - (763) 560-7464
Extended Stay America (763) 549-5571
CONTACTS
LUCIA FAHNBULLEH CELL: (317) 652-1092
CLEMENT K. MORRIS CELL: (317) 625-8817
CHARLENE K. MORRIS-TARPEH CELL: (612) 481-6154
RACHEL S. MORRIS HOME: (763) 535-5068
GENELAIDE G. MORRIS CELL: (763) 300-0616
BARBARA N. MORRIS CELL: (763) 228-9548
CECELIA MORRIS HOME: (763) 535-2674
Please
email all communications to: morrisfamilymemorial@yahoo.com
