July 5, 1927 – Dec. 22, 2011

Eloise Williams Morris, longtime Waukesha resident, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at her home at Avalon Square at the age of 84. Eloise was born on July 5, 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Raymond Scoresby and Mary (nee Benes) Williams. She was a 1945 graduate of Lincoln High School in Milwaukee and then graduated from Carroll College in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in Bible. After raising her family, she obtained her librarian certificate from UW-Whitewater and then obtained a master’s degree from UW-La Crosse in educational media. On Sept. 4, 1954 she married John Lewis Morris at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee; he preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 2008. Prior to her marriage, Eloise worked at the Waukesha Public Library and later worked for 20 years as a librarian at Lakeside Elementary School in Hartland.

Always dedicated to her community, Eloise was a member of many community organizations. She was a member of the Waukesha Symphony Auxiliary/League where she sold dolls to help raise money for music scholarships and was honored as a "First Lady." She was a member of the Waukesha County Historical Society where she was awarded the Libbie Nolan Award and was on the editorial board of the "Landmark Magazine." Always interested in genealogy, Eloise was the Davies family historian and traveled to Wales and the Czech Republic to do research, was a founding member of the Waukesha County Genealogical Society where she earned a service award, and she also held the family history sessions at Avalon Manor for over 20 years. As a member of the Friends of the Waukesha Public Library, she was on the committee for the first expansion of the library. Eloise was a founding member and past president of the P.E.O Chapter BM and a current member of Chapter AQ. She was a member of the Welsh Club of Greater Milwaukee where she enjoyed assisting at special events and was a member of the Waukesha County St. David’s Society where she was the first female president. A strong woman of faith, Eloise was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she was co-president with her husband John of the Mariners for over 15 years and was a member of the church choir for over 50 years.

Eloise is lovingly survived by her children: Leslie Raymond (Mary) Morris, Dr. Cathleen Ann (the late Ron Peters) Morris, both of Waukesha, and Robert John (Lita) Morris of Murfreesboro, Tenn., as well as her grandchildren: Kathryn, Brandon and Brittany. Also surviving are her sister Shirley (the late James) Howard of Menomonee Falls and brother-in-law and sister-in-law David (Sacia) Morris of Onalaska along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son Richard David Morris in 1980.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 from 11 a.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service at First Presbyterian Church, 810 N. East Ave., Waukesha. The Rev. Nicole Farley and the Rev. Don Clarke will preside. Graveside services will immediately follow at Jerusalem Cemetery in Wales. If desired, memorials are appreciated to Carroll University, 100 N. East Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186, to Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, WI 53186 or to Cottey College (P.E.O. Sisterhood), 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, MO 64772

For further information, please call Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.