Reverend Dorothy Millicent Stephens Morris, MS, celebrated her 100th birthday last Saturday and said a “straight and steady” life with God was the root of her longevity.
Still firm on her feet and with a strong voice Morris, said, “Today I am one hundred years old,” to an audience comprising family, friends and other well-wishers gathered to celebrate with her.
The second of two children, Morris was born on July 21, 1912. Her mother died when she was seven-years-old. She was educated in the Pomeroon and later in Georgetown, where she learnt and practised dressmaking, which she made her profession. Morris also loves gardening and going for long walks, which she used to do frequently to and from her home, which is now at Duncan Street, Campbellville.
Rev Morris is the first female Presiding Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church globally. In 1956, she married Reverend Alphonso Morris and later had three children. It was at his church, the Ebenezer AME Church in Charlestown, that she responded to the call of ministry and evangelism and her desire to become a “missionary” was fulfilled. She was ordained as deaconess in 1957 and in 1962. On March 1, 1964 she was ordained as a Local Deacon after pursuing ministerial studies.
Rev. Morris is the recipient of the Medal of Service award for her missionary work with children and the aged in the Charlestown community. She loves children and has been blessed with nine grand-children, among whom is former GDF Chief of Staff Michael Atherly, 18 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grand-children.
Rev. Morris happily related the details of her life growing up, which she still vividly remembers. She recounted that the most striking difference between then and now is “the way of life of youths… their attitude and mannerisms.” She noted that she would always say she “would live for as long as God wishes and as long as God gives her strength.”
The centenarian attributed her longevity to “a straight and steady life with God. He has enabled me to be here this afternoon and I am very grateful to him.” She also noted the role played by her aunt in raising her and her sister, as well as their mother before she passed away. A sister died at age 81.
Rev. Morris acknowledged “the old people that helped us to be here today” and urged the youngsters present to take note of that. She applauded, “the kindness of our old people as they have taught us to know God and to serve him all the days of our lives, and that has made me the woman that I am.”
After a short church service held at her matrimonial home, Rev. Morris expressed her gratitude to her family, friends and other relatives at the gathering, which was organised by her granddaughter. Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster and attorney-at-law Deborah Backer, who represented the government and opposition, respectively, extended felicitations to Rev. Morris on her great accomplishment and acknowledged her remarkable contributions.
Rev. Morris now spends most of her time quietly at home. Her family and relatives told Stabroek News that they admired her strength and saw her as a great inspiration. She still has a lot of energy and is able is speak quite clearly and move about and up to 10 years ago she did a lot of travelling.
