Morris, Sylvia Arline 1921-2006

MORRIS, RHODES, OLDIS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/25/2009 at 10:41:34

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, January 30, 2006

Sylvia Arline (Rhodes) Morris, 84, of Pico Rivera, Calif., formerly of Le Mars,, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at Kindred Hospital in La Mirada, Calif., following a lengthy illness.

Sylvia Arline Rhodes Morris was born Dec. 6, 1921, at Le Mars, the daughter of Thurman Allan Rhodes, of Bingham, Ill., and Laura Mae Oldis, of Smithland, Iowa. Sylvia was the only girl and the oldest child of the family of six children. At age 11 her mother passed away, leaving Sylvia with five younger brothers to finish raising, Wendell (8), Sumner (7), Darrell (5), Thurman (2) and Richard (1) while her father continued to work the J.A. Watson farm, north of town. She was raised and educated in Le Mars, graduating from Le Mars High School, known as Central High in 1942.

In 1946, Sylvia asked for her father's permission to leave home and to go out on her own, heading out to Seattle, Wash., where she worked for Boeing Aircraft. In Seattle she enjoyed hiking and skiing. She married Arthur Morris. She later returned to Le Mars, to raise her children. In 1957 she left Le Mars, and went west for the warmer climate of Santa Monica, Calif. She enjoyed life there and remained in California for 49 years.

Sylvia enjoyed singing with her brothers on Sunday afternoons, swimming, basketball, softball, dancing, and going to the movies. She loved Blue Bunny® Cherry Nut Ice Cream, popcorn and loved to wear dresses. The color red was her favorite. She was jolly, happy-go-lucky and enjoyed a good laugh.

Sylvia will be remembered by surviving family members, her children and their spouses: Ronald Keith and Betty (Redburn) Morris and children, Brian Todd Morris and Sarah Ann (Morris) Macias of Rockford, Ill., Laura Jane Morris of Rosemead, Calif., Cynthia JoAnn (Eastman) and Blake Gillman and their children, Shannon (Gillman) Orr, Braden J Gillman and Riley Snow Gillman of Scottsdale, Ariz.. Also her brothers and sisters-in-law, Wendell Allan Rhodes of Merrill, Sumner Rufus and Clara (Schleis) Rhodes and their children, Sandra Jean, Timothy James, Cynthia Louise and Roger Joseph of Lake Ozark, Mo., Darrell Robert Rhodes and his children,Lorelei, Doretta Marie, Thomas Darrell of Omaha, Neb., Thurman Allan and Pauline (Lassater) Rhodes and their children, Jeffrey Michael, Jacqueline Louise, Juanita Suzanne, Joyce Randell, Thurman James, Jerald Allen of Conway, Ark.; and nieces and nephews from her youngest brother, Richard Asberry Rhodes, Patricia Ann, Pamela Jean, Kenneth Lawrence, Dean Anthony.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her father, Thurman Allen Rhodes, her mother, Laura Mae (Oldis) Rhodes. her brother, Richard Asberry and Ruth (Pick) Rhodes, their son, Philip Michael, nephew of Sylvia's, and her sisters-in-law Colleen (Lindsey) Rhodes, Bernice (Klages) Rhodes.

Most of the family has been separated from Sylvia for 49 years or more and this being the first time that they will all be reunited in honor of their sister who raised them.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Mauer - Johnson Family Gathering Room. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.