Anita Morris

Anita Paone Morris, 105, passed away September 27, 2026. She born on September 24, 1921, in Utica, New York, to immigrant parents, Vincent and Catherine Paone from Tiriolo Italy. She was the second child of three daughters, Marion and Eva and grew up with her family in Utica.

After graduating from high school in 1938, Anita worked and attended Ithaca College in upstate New York before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in 1943. She received her basic military training at Hunter College, Bronx, New York and Oklahoma A&M College. While in training at Oklahoma A & M, Anita continued her college studies and became co-captain of the football cheerleading squad. During her tour, she obtained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. At the height of the war in 1944, Anita was selected to work in a high security post with a small elite team, inventorying and dismantling sensitive equipment housed in Lighthouses located on the East Coast. This was done to secure the Lighthouses from enemy activity off the Atlantic Ocean. Anita felt honored to carry out this mission and absolutely loved being a part of it. She also served as a Public Relations Representative to promote Coast Guard recruitment via live radio (WJHP) in Jacksonville, Fl. While stationed in Jacksonville, Anita met the man of her dreams, Edward (Bob) Morris, a Kentucky boy, who was also serving in the USGC. They fell in love with each other and Jacksonville. They married in the fall of 1945 and made Jacksonville their permanent home. After her tour ended, Anita held several government Executive Assistant positions including serving with the USO, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Jacksonville Safety Council.

In 1950, Anita and Bob had twins, Robin and Melody. In 1956, they built their family home on a lovely lake in San Jose Manor on Jacksonville's southside. It was here in this neighboring community that they joined a small group of parishioners who helped to build the first San Jose Catholic Church and School. From then on, the life of the Church be came the rhythm of their lives as they participated in so many of its ministries while establishing lifelong friendships. Most important to Anita was the opportunity to attend daily Mass, which she did for forty plus years.

In 1964, after a long illness that left her partially blind and paralyzed, Anita recovered and believed that God had healed her to become a lifelong prayer intercessor. To this end, she began a prayer candle ministry. For many years she was known for accepting calls at any time. It didn't matter the time of day or night. Anita always gave of her time generously, offering genuine encouragement, hope and love. Always promising that there would be a prayer candle going for each request. Anita would say, "As long as I can answer the phone, I will take prayer request and light candles of hope. This is something I can do." Similarly, she was always ready to show up and do whatever she could for her family, friends and community, true to her beloved USCG motto, Semper Paratus (Always Ready).

During her lifetime, Anita faced many seasons of family hardship. In the 1980's she became a tireless caregiver to her husband and son during their respective battles with cancer. Losing both within one year of each other. Her Community Hospice angels affectionately nick named her, "God's little iron butterfly."

Anita loved her Jacksonville Community and was quite active in her volunteer activities with the Baptist Hospital Woman's Auxiliary, the San Jose Lake Association and the Community Hospice Women's Auxilliary. A long-time student of interior design and an artist in her own right, she loved sketching with charcoal, taking pottery classes and gardening. She was an avid supporter of the performing arts and was never happier than when she and Bob attended events at the San Marco's Little Theatre and Jacksonville's Civic Auditorium (Times Union Center). Other favorite pastimes included dancing to the sounds of big band swing, and spending leisure time with family and friends at the Ponte Vedra Beach Inn & Club, where they spent their honeymoon and became lifelong members. Anita's greatest joy was watching her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews flourish. She was immensely proud of them all.

Anita lived a long, rich, and full life. Full in faith, purpose and generosity. True to her Italian heritage, she had a heart of hospitality, and she made her heart everyone's home. With her abiding faith and trust in God, Anita lived out the gospel of love making this world a better place. With over a century behind her, she faced war, illness, hardship and heartache, showing that it is possible to survive life's twists and turns with grace, honor and optimism. In her own words, "Never give up, with God all things are possible."

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and son, and her two sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Melody Kathryn Mallett (Ron), her grandchildren, Tenley Elizabeth Dietrich, Jacksonville, Fl; Matthew Morris Dietrich, Denver Colorado; Michelle Becker (Doug) Jacksonville, Fl; Susan Gunter (Josh) Union KY; Great Grandsons, Corey Sharrow, Cameron Sharrow (Heather), Sidney Aspery (Jordan), Michael Owen Becker, James Paul Becker; Great, Great Grandchildren, Ayden, Grayson and Taytum Sharrow and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held at San Jose Catholic Church, 3619 Toledo Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32217. The service is planned as follows: Viewing will begin at 11:00 am., followed by a Rosary and Funeral Mass. Graveside service to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard. Reception to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Volunteers in Medicine, Jacksonville, Fl; and Community Hospice, Jacksonville, Fl.