Neva Morris

Neva Morris (1895-2010) was an American supercentenarian.

Neva Morris (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia-change to footnote)  Not to be confused with fellow supercentenarian Eva Morris. Neva Morris Neva morris 2005 red hat society.jpg Morris, at age 110, wearing the hat presented to her by the Red Hat Society in October 2005. Born Neva Freed August 3, 1895 Ames, Iowa, United States Died April 6, 2010 (aged 114 years, 246 days) Ames, Iowa, United States Title Oldest living person in the United States (March 7, 2010 – April 6, 2010) Spouse(s) Edward Morris (1914–60) Parent(s) Schuyler and Cambia Freed

Neva Morris (née Freed; August 3, 1895 – April 6, 2010) was an American supercentenarian. At the age of 114 years, 246 days, she was the oldest verified living person in the United States following the death of 114-year-old Mary Josephine Ray. On December 22, 2009, Morris, aged 114 years 141 days, surpassed Olivia Patricia Thomas as the oldest Iowan ever verified. On February 13, 2010, Morris became one of the 40 oldest people ever.

Contents

   1 Youth
   2 Later years
   3 Death
   4 References
   5 External links

Youth

Born in Ames, Iowa, where she lived her entire life, to Schuyler and Cambia Freed as the youngest of four children. Neva Freed married Edward Leonard Morris in 1914. The couple had four children: Leslee, Mary Jane, Walter, and Bettylee. They lived with Edward’s parents, Gertrude Rutherford and Walter Leonard Morris, on a farm encompassing 224 acres (0.91 km2) of land.[1] She assisted in helping her four children attend Iowa State University by raising chickens, hogs and dairy cattle.[2] Edward Morris and Neva Freed pose for their wedding photo in 1914. Later years

Neva's son-in-law, 96-year-old Tom Wickersham, who lived in the same retirement home as Morris,[2] said “It didn’t hurt that she worked hard all her life and ate hearty and healthy meals prepared from meat, dairy products and vegetables produced on the farm.”[1] Walter Morris, age 88,[3] Neva’s youngest son and only living child, believed that her secret was her passion for fast cars, as witnessed by her 80-year accident-free driving record.[1] Aged 90 years, she purchased a 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis.[2] She discontinued driving when she was 95 years of age.[2]

Morris was a member of PEO Chapter OH, a 60-year member of Collegiate United Methodist Church, and for 75 years was active in Eastern Star.[1] She also enjoyed singing in women’s choral groups, including one in Gilbert and the Story County Women’s Chorus under the direction of Max Exner.[1] Neva particularly loved to sing “You Are My Sunshine.”[1]

Morris' husband Edward died in 1960.[3] At age 99, Morris moved from her farm home to North Grand Care Center[1] and later to Northcrest Community in 1998.[3] According to Wickersham in March 2010, she "had hearing and vision loss but was able to participate in limited activity at the nursing home".[4] Death

At about 4 a.m. on April 6, 2010, Morris died with her 90-year-old son-in-law by her side.[4] She was the second oldest living person in the world. She is survived by one son, eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.[1]

After her death, Eunice Sanborn took over as the oldest in the United States.[5] References

"Oldest Iowan Birthplace". Ames Tribune. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Krogstad, Jens Manuel (2010-03-09). "Oldest American lives in Ames and, at 114, sings a sunny duet". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2010-03-13.[dead link] Pusey, James (2009-10-24). "ISU researcher searches for the recipe for long life". Ames Tribune. Retrieved 2009-11-08.[dead link] Associated Press (2010-04-06). "Oldest American dies at 114 in Iowa". WCF Courier. Retrieved 2010-04-06.

   "Second oldest person in world dies aged 114". The Telegraph. April 6, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2016.

External links

   Video of Neva Morris at 114 on YouTube

Categories:

   1895 births2010 deathsPeople from Ames, IowaAmerican supercentenarians

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