JOYCE ELAINE MARSALIS MORRIS

Joyce Marsalis Morris was a groundbreaking educator, a fierce champion for higher education at historically Black colleges and universities, and a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her remarkable life ended due to complications from dementia on March 13, 2020 at 89 years old, but her legacy will live forever. Morris was born December 10, 1930 in McComb, Mississippi to Clyde Marsalis and Estelle Fox Guillory. Her love for the city of McComb was forever etched in her heart.  Her charming Mississippi accent lingered long after she moved to New Orleans as a young teenager to pursue her education. Morris attended the historic and famed Gilbert Academy in New Orleans, an elite school for young black students.  The former mayor of Atlanta and civil rights leader Andrew Young was among her classmates at Gilbert Academy. After graduating from Gilbert Academy, Morris married the love of her life, World War II veteran Napoleon Morris, on Christmas Eve 1949.  She gave birth to their first child, Joyce Elaine Morris Stewart in 1950, their second child, Napoleon Morris, Jr. in 1952, and their third child, Jennifer Morris Larche in 1954.  Determined to earn her college degree at a historically Black university, Morris enrolled at Southern University while her children were still in grade school. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southern University, and she later became a life member of the Southern University Alumni Association.  Morris taught math and special education in Jefferson Parish Schools, spending much of her career at Ralph Bunche School, East Jefferson High School, West Jefferson High School, the former Helen Cox Jr. High School and John Ehret High School. She ended her time in the classroom in 2003. Morris was strong in her faith, serving as a lifelong member of the historic Union Bethel A.M.E. church in New Orleans.  She was also a social butterfly, spreading her wings as a member of the Exclusive 20s Social Club in New Orleans.  She traveled abroad to Europe, and often shared cherished memories of her adventures.  She also organized yearly trips to HBCUs and civil rights museums each summer to expose her grandchildren to Black history.  Joyce Marsalis Morris was the cornerstone of her family – a strong force – and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are the fruit of her love, discipline and vision. She was committed to creating a foundation of education, and she did it by becoming the first in her family to earn a college education. A staunch advocate of HBCUs, Morris’ children and grandchildren extended her legacy by earning degrees from Southern University, Southern University at New Orleans, Florida A&M University and Jackson State University in the fields of education, speech pathology and audiology, health information management, meteorology, and broadcast journalism. Morris charted a path for excellence, and she showed her family anything was possible.  They are forever grateful to the rock of their family, and they are committed to ensuring her legacy lives on for generations.  Morris leaves behind her three children, her five grandchildren – Napoleon Morris III, Suzanne Elaine Stewart Mallory, Rasheeda B. Morris Alonzo, Jessica Larche Washington and Imani Morris – and several great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to support the Joyce Marsalis Morris Memorial Scholarship to Jefferson Dollars for Scholars by calling (504) 831-1565.   Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service 230 Monroe St. Gretna, LA  To view and sign the guestbook, please go to www.davismortuaryservice.com.