Bennette Johnson Morris December 1, 1929 - July 17, 2020

Bennette Morris, of Helena-West Helena, passed away at her home surrounded by her family at her home, at the age of 90. She was born in Little Rock to Parker Ewan Johnson, Sr. and Bennett Irene Johnson. The family moved to Clarendon when she was 3. After graduating from Clarendon High School, she attended Hendrix College for two years before transferring to Southern Methodist University where she graduated in 1951. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Upon graduation, she moved to Helena, where she worked with the Home Extension Office.

Bennette met her future husband, Walter Luther Morris, of West Helena, in December of 1951 and they were married June 12, 1952. During 65 years of marriage, she became a loving mother of four. The family tree grew with seven grandchildren. Then she became a great-grandmother to seven great-grandchildren, and aunt to a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Bennette loved nothing more than spending time with her family. Sending daily scriptures or encouragement, gathering for family vacations at the beach, celebrating the holidays in their home, or celebrating milestones in each of their lives, she was a beautiful example of unconditional love.

Whether you knew her as Mom, Nanny B, Aunt Bennette, Bennette, Miss Bennette, or Mrs. Morris, you always felt welcomed, accepted, and loved. She cared for people. Her greatest joy was found in giving to others whether it was helping the young girls of the Ophelia Polk Moore Home, the animals at the Humane Society of Phillips County, those searching to know the Lord through Bible Studies, or participating in every aspect of church life at Saint John’s Episcopal Church. Bennette loved her community, her country, and her Razorbacks.

Preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her grandson Walt IV, her sister, Margaret Johnson Lee, and her brother, Parker Ewan Johnson, Jr., she is survived by her children: Margaret Bennett Morris Sellers, husband Paul; Mary Virginia ''Gina'' Morris; Walter Luther Morris, Jr., wife Jayne McCain; Leonora Harriet Morris Maclay, husband Doug; her grandchildren: Callie Bennett Sellers Towles, husband Allen; Margaret Morris ''Mollie'' Sellers; Walter Luther Morris III, wife Elizabeth ''Liz'' Bernie; Mary McCain Morris Cole, husband Josh; Meredith Pointer Maclay McNeely, husband Justin; Claire Parkhill Maclay Auffenberg, husband Daniel; and Douglas Weller Maclay III; her great-grandchildren: Campbell William Towles, Caroline Bennett Towles, Lawson Allen Towles, Walter Luther Morris IV, Mae Louise Morris, Bennett Thomas Cole, Genevieve Ann McNeely due this year; and many nieces and nephews, including Julian and Emily Johnson, of Holly Grove.

A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, July 19, at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena. Services were directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Helena.