Cleata Morris

A photo of Cleata Morris

Service:

North Buxton Community Church
Saturday October 1, 2022
11:00 a.m.

Visitation:

Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Friday September 30, 2022
2 - 4 & 6 - 8 p.m.

Cleata Morris passed away peacefully on September 24th 2022 at the age of 98.  Known to many as Aunt Cleata she was predeceased by her parents Gordon Morris and Louisa (Ida )Travis Morris, brother Hilliard Morris, sister Ruby Morris Griffith and nephew Paul Allen.

Cleata was a school teacher starting in 1945 to 1957 at SS #10 Green Valley School in Chatham Township then the French school also in Chatham Township from 1957 to 1958 then on to the Windsor School System from 1958 until retirement in 1996.  Cleata’s love for music took her to starting a Men’s Choir in 2001 and traveled all over the Chatham Kent area and further singing at churches retirement homes nursing homes etc.

Cleata leaves to mourn her sister Ona Morris- Allen of Burlington one niece Trenia Griffith- Williams and (husband Mark Williams) of Wisconsin, two nephews Stacy Griffith and (wife Terry Baylis -Griffith) of Amherstburg, Curtis Griffith of Detroit and a host of great and great great nieces and nephews cousins and friends.  Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday September 30th 2022 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Homegoing service will be on Saturday October 1st 2022 and the North Buxton Community Church at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Buxton Next Generation (BNG) or charity of your choice.

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Condolences

I am so very grateful to have had the pleasure of meeting and to have known Cleata. An inspiration to all who knew her. Our condolences are sent to all who loved her. Sincerely Robert and Karen Herman

Cleata shared her love of music in the Windsor area with many. Upon retirement she was a member and later associate member of the local branch of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario (RWTO). On behalf of our Members, we send our condolences to her beloved Family. Her music and light shines.

Sending our Love and prayers to you all ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽

Our deepest Sympathy to the Morris family, she was a great lady.

Our sincere condolences to the family, friends and community that Cleata left an indelible mark on. A legacy left that we can all aspire to, but few will achieve. I will remember her fondly.

Our prayers and condolences are with you and your family.. Much love.

Our Thoughts & Prayers are with the family & friends. Miss Morris was a beautiful educated & so knowledgeable woman with many talents. I was blessed to have her as my 1st grade teacher as did my siblings. Heaven has gained quite the Angel ! Go Bless Love Karen Thomas Moore & the Thomas families.

Our sincere condolences to Cleata’s family. She was one of our most favourite patients when we had our medical practice in Merlin. We loved to see her smiling face. When we retired she was part of the celebration in leading the men’s choir to honour us. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With sincere sympathy David and Janet Klein.

Family of the late Cleta Morris, Ms.Morris dedicated her life to education, notably the education of descendants of the Underground Railway. As past president, member and lifetime member of The Hour-A-Day Study Club, we would like to express our deepest sympathy upon Ms. Morris's passing, for much of our history has now passed along with her. Ms. Morris recognized the importance of education within the Black Community many, many years ago. Today, The Hour-A-Day Study Club continues to encourage and recognize the importance of education within our community. We will strive to maintain the positive influence that she and many others have brought to Black Canadian students of the Windsor-Essex County communities for many generations, The Hour a Day Study Club, Marium Tolson-Murtty, president Patty Alexander, corresponding secretary

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sis. Cleata Morris. Please understand that others feel your pain. She was a fun person to be around. May her soul rest in peace. Bro. & Sis. Small East York B.M.E Church

Stacy, Terry, Trenia and Curtis and families We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Cleta. What a wonderful caring, loving , generous and funny lady. She will be greatly missed. Our love and prayers are with you.

Words cannot express the impact that cousin Cleta had on her family and community. May we always keep her memory alive within our hearts.

My deepest sympathy to family and friends of Cleata Morris. Evelyn Farquharson

Aunt Cleata will be missed by so many, I know I will miss her smiling face and the harmonizing on the back of that pick up truck every year in the Buxton Labour Day Parade as it moved on down the road. May you find Peace Family in knowing She has gone home.❤️

From: A member of the British Methodist Episcopal Church of Canada To the family of Cleata Morris I extend my condolences for your loss of a cherished relative in your life. I met Cleata at a church conference many years ago and I learned very early in our conversations that she was very proud of your achievements and contributions to the welfare of each other and that she would not accept anything that spoiled your happiness, so I can only imagine you sorrow at this time. I also know this characteristic carried over to the North Buxton community family and church members who took care of the building your ancestors dedicated to God. I know that she was genuine in her feelings toward you all. Nothing convinced me more than when she (a woman of such small stature) took on a giant who wanted to take away your joy and won. Take comfort in the fact that I know God will bless her. Rest in peace Cleata. A Christian Brother and Sister, Frank Dorsay and Norma Turner

On behalf of Retired Woman Teachers branch of Chatham Kent, I offer our sincere condolences as your family misses dear Cleata. We have wonderful memories after she and Buxton Men’s Choir were last able to entertain us in November 2019. Our thoughts are with you. Lynn Russell CK- RWTO

Miss Morris was my teacher at S.S. #10 from 1952. A positive role model, professional, demanding and someone I called my friend. I will miss her greatly and remember her always. My heart goes out to Miss Ona and the entire family. Cleata lived her life well. May she rest in peace. Patricia

We remember Cleata for her selfless contributions to the community and the loving ties between our two families. Norma, Artis, Carol and Dolores

What a beautiful lady. Singing always makes you happy. Cleta was always happy. God bless, Joyce and Bill

Miss Morris was my grade 1 teacher in 1975 and our family remembers her fondly from H.E. Bondy school in Windsor. It's incredible to imagine the thousands of kids she taught to read and learn math over her teaching career. She affected so many people in a positive way throughout her life. Sad to hear of her passing but what an amazing life lived!

I had the pleasure of teaching with Cleata for many years in Windsor. She was a wonderful mentor and taught me so very much as I began my career. I kept in touch with her through cards. She was an inspiring teacher and I will miss her.

I remembers Cleata so well. I was one of the student teachers she welcomed to her classroom. She influenced me in so many ways. What stands out was her message of gently touching each child first thing every morning and saying something kind. There were many children in that class who didn’t gentle many gentle touches and this gently told them that this Grade One classroom was a safe place. She taught me to give every child a chance to shine everyday. She was an amazing educator.

We remember Cleata for her selfless contributions to the community and the loving ties of our 2 families. Norma, Artis, Carol and Dolores

We remember Cleata for her selfless contributions to the community and we cherish the loving ties of our 2 families. Norma, Artis, Carol & Dolores

Miss Cleata was a remarkable woman with such a sweet, caring soul. She was a wonderful gift to the world and I was honoured to have met her.

Our sincere condolences to the Morris family. So sorry for your loss. John & Karen Roe

Thoughts and prayers go to the Morris family. such a wonderful lady!

My sincere condolences to the Morris family. I met Cleata a few years ago at the re-opening of the Oro African Church. She was such a lovely lady. We had a wonderful chat about our shared ancestor, Noah Morris, who gave the land for the church to be built on. Rest in peace dear lady.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of Cleata. She was such a lovely lady and always had time to have a conversation. We will surely miss her. Rest In Peace dear friend. ❤️❤️❤️

Aunt Cleata has always been an inspiration to me. Her bubbling personality and energy was greatly admired. I have been blessed to have known her. Sending my prayers to embrace you with comfort and peace..

I thank God for the privilege of knowing this gracious, wise woman. She has been my mentor since my late teen years and I love her dearly. Family, I know you will miss this jewel but you will meet again in glory. Praying for your comfort during this time of loss. God bless you and keep you.

Aunt Cleata was an amazing woman that was always so warm and welcoming. She was the epitome of Buxton for me and I always looked forward to our visits. Aunt Cleata will be truly missed!

My sincere condolences. Miss Morris was my first grade teacher.

Aunt Cleata was very kind to me and I treasured each exchange we shared. I feel blessed to had been able to see her at the last Buxton Fair. May she forever shine bright in her peace.

Miss Cleata was a blessing to me .... And to the world. We met 25 years ago while I was serving as Tourism Director. Her welcoming nature, her warmth and her commitment to community drew me to her. Professional relationships morphed into friendships. Oh, how she will be missed.

Aunt Cleata, you were a gem! I will forever keep you in my heart, RIP lovely lady your spirit lives on🌹

Cleata was a lovely lady and an interesting person in so many ways. About 10 years ago I interviewed her for a Buxton museum oral history project and it was fascinating. She lived a rich life and doubtless will be missed by many people. My sincere condolences to family and friends.

Our condolences to the Morris family.

Our condolences to the Morris family.

Our condolences to the Morris family.

Condolences to Cleata's family and friends.She was a special lady and will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.R.I.P. Cleata.