Claris Effie (Jones) Morgan

Claris Effie Morgan 91, of Nampa, Id. passed away at home July 29, 2011. Her life began January 26, 1920, along with her twin brother, Norman in Williamsburg Iowa. Claris grew up in Iowa with her parents, Clarke A and Effie Jones and three brothers. They enjoyed a country life where Claris spent many happy hours on her Grandpa Ed J's farm.

She remained in Williamsburg through out her school years, graduating from Williamsburg High in 1938. Claris enjoyed working the switchboard of the local telephone company in the days of "ringing up the operator" to have her connect you to the party you were calling. Later she lived in Chicago, IL with her oldest brother Dean and his family and worked at the local coal company.

While in Chicago, Claris received an urgent a letter from her cousin Dorothy, in Glendale, CA stating that Claris needed to come on out to California to meet someone special. On a leap of faith she traveled the long distance to California where Dorothy introduced her to Bill Morgan. Bill and Claris were married May 7, 1949 and moved to Lancaster, CA where Bill began his career with Bank of America. Claris worked for Antelope Valley High School for several years before she too joined the Bank of America family. Claris and Bill remained in Lancaster and with Bank of America until their retirement in 1974. They lived briefly in Spokane, WA and retuned to Lancaster until they moved to Nampa in 1990, to be close to their son and his family.

Claris and Bill were active members in the Lancaster Presbyterian Church and First United Presbyterian Church of Nampa, where they not only worshiped, but acquired many close friends.  Claris enjoyed being with and meeting people. Together Bill and Claris volunteered many, many hours to Antelope Valley Hospital, Mercy Medical Center and Nampa Civic Center. They enjoyed traveling and spent much of their vacation times in the car traveling to various parts of the US to visit family and friends. They served as hosts to Dorothy's DE-Tours company, traveling on fun buses to many locations.

Claris took pride in her son, Norman and his three boys, Justin, Jay and Jeffery. Grandma attended school events, and kept track of academic achievements. Whenever the grandkids were playing sports or showing 4-H animals, you could be sure that Grandma was in the stands cheering them on. She was happy to pay the "bragger's fine" at card club, if her grandkids were doing something, it was important for her friends to know about it! She loved time spent with the Great Grands, Nikolai and Aleksi. Grandma always remembered birthdays and special events. She would send cards and gifts and her "goody filled" care packages. She enjoyed hosting the family dinners and baking special treats. She would make extra's just for an excuse to bring them out to spoil us.

Claris was preceded in death by both her parents, her three bothers, her twin Norman, Dean and David; Bill her loving husband of 58 years; and "Sis", her special cousin Dorothy, they were more sisters then cousins. She is survived by her son Norman and his wife Jackie of Nampa, her grandsons, Justin and his wife Natalia, Jay and his wife Emily, and Jeffery along with Great Grandsons Nikolai and Aleksi, her brother-in-law Dick Morgan, numerous nieces and nephews, many friends including special lifelong friends Phebe Gilliland and Bobbie Agnew.

A special thanks and appreciation to Legacy Hospice, especially Kevin, Laura, Matt, Cindy, Marshall and Jay whose tender care, kindness and support was a God-Send. We love you Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma; we will miss you but have fond memories to cherish. We wish you well on your journey home.

A celebration of Claris’ life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 at the Nampa First United Presbyterian Church. A private burial will precede the services in the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell. A viewing will be held on Thursday Evening from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made to the Nampa First United Presbyterian Church, 400 Lake Lowell Ave., Nampa, ID 83651 or a charity of your choice. Flowers are also welcome.

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