Annetta Marion Smith Morris

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On Thursday, January 8, 2026. Annetta M. Morris, a beloved family matriarch and servant of the Staten Island community, made her final transition and joined the ancestors.

Annetta Morris (née Smith) was born on September 25, 1933 in Shelby, Mississippi to the late George Houston Smith and Leola Elizabeth Smith (nee Gilmore). She was the oldest of five children. As a young child Annetta was exposed to the historical Delta Cooperative Farm in Mississippi where Black and Whites worked together demonstrating the possibility of integration for the then segregated south. Her father, George H. Smith was the Coop Board Secretary and was recognized by Sam Franklin in his manuscript Delta Cooperative Farm: Hillhouse Mississippi. Annetta had first hand knowledge of the Hillhouse Delta cooperative where African Americans and whites work for equal wages and provided social and other services, most of which were open to neighboring communities. At the Co-op, Annetta and her parents were known for her fathers carpentry skills. She and her brother George also welcomed their siblings MacIntosh and Mary Alice who were both born on the land of the Coop from 1936 - 1940 when the family left the Coop. The Delta Cooperative Farm was organized around four principles: efficiency in production and economy in finance through the cooperative principle, participation in building a socialized economy of abundance, inter-racial justice, and realistic religion as a social dynamic.

to Highland Falls, New York and after her father acquired a job with Bethlehem Steel on Staten Island, NY the family moved to Staten Island with the assistance of William A. Morris Movers and Storage Co., a company established by William A. Morris, the uncle of her future husband.

Annetta began her formal education at Public School 18, West Brighton. She also attended Curtis High School, Lincoln College Nursing School where she earned her License for Practical Nursing.

On September 9, 1956, Annetta married Henry Morris, Sr. of Staten Island in the home of her parents. From that union they had four children: Henrietta, Beth, Cheryl and Henry, Jr.

Before her retirement, for over 32 years, Annetta provided care to many of the Staten Island community members as a Nurse with the Staten Island Medical Group/HIP in New Brighton, Silver Lake and Annadale locations of Staten Island. Annetta was well known as the nurse of care and comfort taking her time with patients, staff and medical physicians.

Annetta's commitment to service came in several forms- as a proud lifelong member of St. (Port Richmond, Staten Island) where she was baptized at an early age.

Her spiritual devotion to God and His word was demonstrated not only as a congregant but in her service as member and Senior Choir, Nurses Ministry, and Deacon Board.

Annetta became a member of the Prince Hall Order Eastern Star, State of New York, Silver Queen Chapter No. 43 on November 7, 1969. She became Worthy Matron of the Chapter in 1977 and 1987. She served as Chapter Secretary for several years and in 1997 was appointed District Deputy Grand Matron of Eureka Grand Chapter under the administration of Past Grand Worthy Matron Wilma Johnson and Past Grand Worthy Patron William Banks. PM Morris was

Star, Prince Hall Affiliated. As a member of the Eureka Grand Chapter 2nd District, the chapter began its work of charity from 1945 - 1965 encompassing service to the three hospitals on Staten Island: Sea View Hospital, Farm Colony and Halloran Hospital (aka Willowbrook State School). These facilities were occupied with many patients who were destitute, wounded and severely ill. Tuberculosis was at an epidemic high, Hepatitis was known to be a serious problem, and patients were quarantined. Several chapter members employed at Sea View provided care and comfort when no one else would. Among them was PM Leola Smith and Sis. Marjorie Tucker Reed, who was featured in the SI documentary on Black Angel nurses at Sea View Hospital. Annetta worked as a Candy Striper at SeaView Hospital alongside her mother as well as she continued in the rich history of healthcare by joining the ranks of several chapter members who worked with staff to provide care and hospitality for patients in various hospitals and clinics on Staten Island.

Over the years, Annetta served as a member of Silver Queen Chapter No. 43 and helped families in need and/or faced tragedies (like Hurricane Sandy, house fire, etc.). As a Past Matron, Annetta along with her sister PM Smith promoted implementing the PM Leola E. Gilmore Smith Youth Council, named after their mother, which provided civic and social instruction to youth making sure they have access to resources, food shopping and grocery delivery to needy families, purchased clothes and gift cards from various department stores to families. When the Chapter conducted health fairs as a healthcare provider, PM Morris' was engaged in the program that connected community members to various health care providers. As an advocate for justice walking in the steps of her father, PM Morris promoted the rallies and organizing for the tragic killing of Eric Garner and contributed to the assistance of his daughter Legacy Garner upon hearing of his tragic death. In addition, PM Morris contributed to fundraising efforts to sponsor youth attending the Historically Black College and University Tour through the Chapter Scholarship Fund in honor of PM Atherline Rose Smith. In addition, as a life-member, PM Morris often sent her donations to the standing committees the chapter has fundraised to help support other charities such as Breast Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis and the Wounded Warrior Project. When the Chapter was unable to fundraise for itself, Annetta, Atherline and livelong family friend

nd would find ways to support the chapter by fundraising on their own. They would plan bus rides and events like a fashion show at the Senior Center to raise funds that would support community programs.

(Leonard Howie, Jr) and sister-in-law Fannie Levoria Smith; her children - Henrietta Crawford, Beth Lynn Morris and Henry Morris; her grandchildren - Ricky A. Artist, Shakequa Baker, Wendy Artist, Darlene Morris, Raymond Crawford, Leo S. Hall, Verona Crawford, Tyry Crawford, Ruben Pagan, Henry Morris III, Gregory Morris, Rebecca Morris, Rachel Morris, Joanna Morris, Michael Morris, Sandra Morris, Michelle Morris, Joshua Morris, Joia Morris; and her cherished God daughter Alice Scott; and nephew Everette Wattley as well as a village of great-grand and great-great grandchildren; cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and loved ones.

She was preceded in transition by her husband, Henry Morris; daughter Cherly D. Morris; parents  George and Leola Smith; her brother, Macintosh Wilmer Smith; sister, Atherline Rose Smith; sisters-in-law, Maureen Smith, Cindy White, and Deborah White-Keys; aunts-in-law, Martha Morris and Evelyn Morris King; uncle-in-law William Morris, Jr, and  cousins-in-law, Carl and Etta Jones.

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