Bettina Brim Morris, 100, of Chenoa, IL died at home surrounded by the love of family on December 25, 2024.
Betty was born April 29, 1924 in Perry, IL the daughter of Genevieve Dorsey and Robert L. Brim. She was the second of three children. She married Virgil E. Morris on August 10, 1947 in Perry. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage, living and raising a family in Chenoa. He proceeded her in death on May 22, 1999.
A Tribute of Betty’s Life will be Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chenoa United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 3 at Duffy Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Betty requested vibrant colors be worn to celebrate her life.
She is survived by four daughters and one son, Carol (Loren) Blackfelner of Canton, Jennifer (Bruce) Beal of Cuba, Wendy (Richard) Hawickhorst of Teutopolis, Jonathan (Teresa) Morris of Franklin and Amy (Galen) VanVleet of Chenoa; eight grandchildren, Suzanne (Todd) Lanser, Christopher Hammond, Nathaniel (Jenni) Beal, Alissa (Travis) Carter, Megan (Mitch) Koester, Andrew (Emily) Hawickhorst, Paul (Keely) Morris and Adam (Jourdan Pressler) Morris; sixteen great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Gwendolyn Woods and brother James Brim.
Betty graduated from Perry High School in 1942 as Valedictorian of her class and continued her education at Illinois College graduating with a biology degree in 1946. At IC she was a member of Gamma Delta Literary Society. “Miss Brim” came to Chenoa in 1946 when she was hired to teach biology and history at Chenoa High School. An unexpected bonus was meeting her husband-to-be Virgil Morris. She was a beloved Chenoa High School biology teacher for 23 years, advisor of the American Field Service organization for 16 years and a class sponsor. Many of her former students stopped by for visits and kept in contact with her over the years. She greatly valued education and all five of her children chose education as their career.
Community service was very important to Betty and Virgil and they were honored for their dedication as Mr. & Mrs. 4th of July in 1993. Betty was again honored as Chenowan of the Year in 2004. She was a lifetime member and past president, secretary and treasurer of the Arts and Travels Club, member and past president of the Chenoa Women’s Club, past member of the Chenoa Historical Society, 4-H leader of the Chenoa Girl’s 4-H club for 37 years, served as a trustee on the Chenoa Library Board for 23 years and volunteered as a docent at the Matthew T. Scott House in Chenoa. Betty was a member of the Chenoa United Methodist Church where she has served as a Sunday school teacher, Outreach Chair, member of Bill’s Fun Band and Bible Study group.
Betty was a talented seamstress and loved nature and taking her family on picnics at state parks. She was an avid reader and kept current with the sciences, environmental concerns and current events. She was always interested in preserving history and edited the Chenoa historical book “Pickings of the Past and More” for the Chenoa Sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. She continued writing a “Pickings of the Past” column and other Chenoa history articles for the local paper until she was 98. For her 100th birthday she presented her children and grandchildren a copy of her memoir “My Story” that she had written.
We mourn the passing of a remarkable role model, a force unto herself, who lived an amazing life bringing light to others. Betty will be greatly missed by her family and community. The family would like to thank Maria Guzman for her friendship, and gentle, loving care to our mother.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Chenoa Methodist Church or the Chenoa Swimming Pool.