Eliza Odell Morrison

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, Abba Father sent an angel to receive into his Kingdom, Eliza Odell Morrison. "Odell", as she was affectionately known, was born on September 20, 1930, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She was the third of the nine children born to Clearo and Carrie Harrison Johnston. Eliza was special to her parents.  She was their oldest daughter and named after her maternal grandmother, Eliza Ann Thorpe Harrison.

Eliza lived in Roanoke Rapids until age 13, when her family relocated to Newport News, Virginia.  During her early childhood and intermediate years, Eliza was educated in the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. Upon moving to Newport News, Virginia, she attended Carver High School.

As Eliza grew into a young woman, she was known for her vibrant smile, and for sharing kind words. During her teen years, Eliza began working alongside her parents in the family’s restaurant, Johnston’s Café.  Accordingly, Eliza excelled at cooking; perfecting such things as her legendary sweet potato pies.  As Eliza continued to blossom, she developed a love for the Lord and attended church regularly. While attending church, she met the love of her life, James Alton Morrison Sr. Eliza.  They married on September 3, 1948, and spent seventy-five wonderful years together.  Eliza loved being a wife and mother.  She took pride in preparing delicious meals for and spending quality time with her beloved James. She was also a loving mother to three beautiful daughters and four fine sons. Eliza was a nurturer and spent countless hours caring for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Eliza enjoyed spending time with her siblings, feeding everyone that came to her home, watching the “stories,” and getting her hair done. Eliza had a way of making anyone feel loved and was adored by all who knew her. Eliza was loved by many and will be missed by all.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, James Morrison; parents, Cleoro and Carrie Johnston; seven siblings, Leonard Johnston, General Johnston, Cleroy Johnston, David Johnston, Mattie Vance, and Alberta Ridley; two sons-in-law, Michael Todd Sr. and William Lassiter; and two great-grandchildren. 

Left to cherish Eliza’s memory are her seven children, Sandra Todd, Gwendolyn Lassiter, Diane Joyner, James Alton Morrison Jr., Eric Morrison (Deborah), John Morrison (Donna), and Dwayne Morrison (Harriett); twenty grandchildren, forty-seven great-grandchildren, seventeen great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Lucy Harrell: and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loyal friends. 

A service to celebrate Odell’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Whiting's Funeral Home. Interment to follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Morrison may be viewed on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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