Mrs. Millie Grace Gunnels Morris

Obituary Millie Grace Gunnels Morris April 17, 1929 - January 17, 2023 94 Years Old Nine Decades of Memories Millie Grace Gunnels was born on April 17, 1928 in Plummersville, Arkansas in Jackson County to Hosea Gunnels, Sr. and Blanche Hardy Gunnels. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lexadd Wilson Morris, a daughter, Glenda Fae Morris-Robinson, MD, and siblings, Alvin Gunnels, Hosea Gunnels, Jr. and Reaner Gunnels Shannon, Ph.D. Also, three siblings passed as infants, Calvin, Johnnie Louise, and James Carnell. Millie Grace attended Northview Elementary School, and in the 7th grade she was honored as the Valedictorian of her class. In 1943 the Gunnels family moved from Arkansas to Kansas City, MO. She graduated from Lincoln High School. Millie Grace joined the family of God at the age of 13. She joined Brooklyn Avenue Baptist Church, and was a member until joining Progressive Baptist Church in 1975, where she remained a member until her passing. In 1950 Millie Grace married Lexadd Wilson Morris. They had four daughters, Lexcine, Glenda, Rita and Kimerla. She liked wearing hats, and her daughters grew up watching her make hats and participate in fashion shows featuring hats. She was a stay at home mother, however, as their daughters grew older she entered the Menorah Medical Center Nursing School. She graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and worked at Menorah Medical Center for 16 years. She became a school nurse with the Kansas City, MO School District, and was there from 1972-1991. Millie Grace then worked for Home Health as a supervisor and private duty nurse. Millie Grace was very active socially, professionally, and in her church. At Progressive Baptist Church she became a Deaconess, as Lexadd was a Deacon, and a member of the Deborah Missionary Circle. She was a member of the Kansas City, MO Sigma Chapter of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and the Kansas City, Mo Urban League Guild. She served terms as president of each. She attended the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. annual meetings for many years, and eventually found her passion when she began working with their Prison Ministry. She moved up through the local, district and state levels, and became the State Commissioner of the Missouri Prison Ministry for the National Baptist Convention, USA. She held that position until 2014. Millie Grace loved to travel, and over the years she and Lexadd traveled throughout the United States and abroad until his passing in 1996. She continued to travel, and attended all of the high school, college and most graduate and professional school graduations of her children and grandchildren. In 2014 she moved to Atlanta to be closer to her daughters and their families. While she remained a member of Progressive Baptist Church, she joined her daughter Kimerla’s church, New Macedonia Baptist Church in Riverdale, GA (Rev. Gerry T. Anderson, Pastor), under watch care. She is survived by daughters, Dr. Lexcine Morris Wall, Atlanta, Rita Skinner (Albert), Atlanta, Kimerla Joyner (Alton), Jonesboro, GA; grandsons, Cortney Wall (Veronica), Roswell, GA, Christopher Wall, Washington, D.C., Alexander Skinner, Powder Springs, GA, and Julius Robinson, III (Samina), Fairburn, GA; granddaughters, Brittany Skinner, Atlanta, Gabriella Robinson, Forest Hills, NY; great-grandchildren, Carter Wall, Roswell, GA, Malina Robinson and Elijah King, Fairburn, GA; brother, Willie Gunnels (Bernie Dean), Kansas City, MO; sisters, Christine Pouncil, Kansas City, MO, Macy Miller (Ronald), Kansas City, Mo, Gladys Burtin (Frederick), Kansas City, MO, and Ester Jackson, Raytown, MO; sister-in-law, Laverne Gunnels, Grandview, MO, and many other relatives and loved ones. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday February 4, 2023, 12:00pm at Progressive Baptist Church. Interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11am-12pm at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Millie Grace Gunnels Morris, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mrs. Millie Grace Gunnels Morris

April 17, 1928 - January 17, 2023