Teresa Morris

(From Parker Mortuary)

Teresa Anne Morris, age 60, Joplin, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024 at Mercy of Joplin with family at her side.

Teresa was born February 11, 1964 in Fort Smith, AR, daughter of the late Albert J. Hopkins and Dorothy A. (Tomlinson) Hopkins. She grew up in Plano, TX prior to moving to Diamond, MO where she graduated from High School in 1982. She lettered in volleyball and basketball during her high school years at Diamond. She moved to Joplin in 1983, and then married Mark Morris on August 3, 1985. The result of this union was the birth of Victoria Bree (Tori) Morris, on November 9, 1986.

She loved her Lord and Savior first, and fiercely loved her family second. She homeschooled her daughter, and by doing so, ingrained in her not only an education, but how to live a Godly Christian life as well. Her husband has said many times that she saved his life by introducing him to Christ in not just a religious context, but as his personal Lord and Savior. She was of course imperfect, as all humans are, and would be the first to tell you we all need Jesus and His forgiveness of sin.

She loved cats, and one of her passions in life was to care for stray cats and kittens. Over the course of almost 40 years, she and her family cared for 54 cats and a handful of dogs, many of whom lived into their late teens because of her excellent care. She loved to play volleyball and wallyball, coach gymnastics, photograph birds, butterflies and flowers, and learn as much as she could about God’s creation. In 2000, she and her husband bought their dream property and built the house that she designed herself. She was an avid DIYer and loved gardening and beautifying the property. When her health allowed, she loved to get together with friends, she has touched so many lives in her much too short time on this earth, and she brightened every room she walked into with her beautiful smile. She will be greatly missed by many.

Survivors include her husband, Mark; her daughter, Tori; brother, Randy Hopkins and wife Vicki; sisters, Sharon Nedlo and husband John, twins, Shelly Tanner and husband Evan and Kelly Johnson and husband Mark; numerous nieces and nephews.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.