Lela Saberna Morris

Sincere Condolences to the Morris Family during the loss of your mother. Barbara Flournoy Reaux MLW Class of 66

Lela, sincere condolences to you and your family. Your mother was truly an inspiration to me on my journey through RPS. May she rest in splendor.🙏🏾 Calvin L. Rasberry

My sincere condolences to you and your family my friend.

Mentor. Colleague. Sister. Friend---all of the above and more. I adored Mrs. Morris from our very first encounter, opening day of John F. Kennedy High School in 1968. Peace, love, and joy to Lela, Alvin and family as you celebrate the life of a fine lady. Imogene Hodge Draper

The family of Mrs. Morris has my deepest sympathy. She was indeed a lovely person that everyone that met her could admire. Delores Peters McCray

Sincere love and condolences to the family of Lela S. Morris. She was a wonderful lady and we loved her dearly. We have so many great memories of her that we shall always cherish and so grateful for the many years we shared with her. Rest In Peace Beautiful Lady. ❤️❤️ Joseph & Rowena Johnson

To Lela Morris, My condolences to you and your family. Peace and blessing. Robin Dickerson JM'78 and teacher at JM 1998-99.

To Lela and Alvin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Though the storm keeps on raging, hold on for God is with you and He will give you peace.

Sandra Clark-Johnson

Sincere condolences to you Lela and your family. I first met your Mother when I was in middle school at what was then Randolph Jr. High; and had the opportunity on many occasions to be in her presence during my professional life. She always had a special greeting for me each Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church during fellowship time. She is missed. Patricia Q. Taylor

To Alvin and Lela: though I haven't seen you in quite some time, my prayers have still gone up so that God's blessings would rain down upon all of you. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mother and neighbor Sister Lela S. Morris. Though words can do little, it is my hope and thoughts that prayers will comfort you both at this time, knowing that your mother is at peace. So I leave with you both, with the testimony from that old hymn of the church, "Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me." I'm praying for both of you. Rev. Reginald L. Clark

With deepest sympathy and prayers to the Morris family for your loss. I have very fond memories of Mrs. Morris as a student and member of the RPS family. May she rest in peace. Dennis Winston and family.

Dear Lela and Alvin, Please accept my heartfelt expression of sympathy over the passing of your mother, Mrs. Lela Saberna Morris. I shall cherish, honor and respect the memory of her as a dear friend, co-worker, confidant and consummate professional. The Richmond Public Schools was fortunate to be the beneficiary of her many years of service. She brought to the system a commitment to excellence that is unsurpassed. May it comfort you to know that others share your loss but are heartened by the knowledge that our lives were enriched by having known her. She will continue to live in my heart and in my fond memories. Lois Harrison-Jones Fears, Mitchellville, MD.

Lela and Alvin, my deepest sympathy to you as family and friend. I'll never forget the summers we had on the mountain with your family and the inspiration your family provided to us. Remember faith is fundamental and foundational for salvation. Hope gets us up in the mornings, propels us through our days and gives us rest in the evenings. But when nothing else can help, love will lift you. We love you. Friend always Jeff Grant (Gainesville, VA).

Lela, I am sure that you and your mother had some great times. I met her when she worked at Thompson Middle. My husband, Russell, introduced us, and he was quite fond of her. I saw her a few years back as we were both at a card tournament. We talked, and laughed about "old" some things. It was good to see her. May all that you shared bring you comfort. You are in my prayers.

Dear Lela and Alvin, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Elizabeth Ford

Dear Lela, Alvin & Family, Thomas & I offer our sincere sympathy on the passing of your mother. Mrs. Morris was one of my (Shelia Spurlock-Shaw) 8th grade teachers at Randolph Jr. High. She was a warm, kind & wonderful teacher. Beautiful both inside & out. May God surround you & yours with love, peace & comfort during this most difficult time. Respectfully, Thomas & Shelia Shaw

What a wonderful friend Mrs. Morris was to my late godmother, Alfreda Green Rogers. My godmother treasured their relationship as best friends, as her coworker and as her neighbor. I remember Mrs. Morris as my English teacher.,And even though she was definitely a "no nonsense" teacher, all the kids really admired her. She convinced my godmother to put me in her summer school typing class at Graves Jr. High. I know I was the worst student in class but Mrs. Morris never stopped encouraging me. So glad I took that class because it really came in handy during "pre computer" days when college term papers were due. Lela and Alvin please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your dear mother. B. Page Johnson Hayden Baltimore, Maryland

Dear Lela and family,my thoughts and prayers are with you as I extend my deepest sympathy.I only knew your mom through you but from all the comments and her picture, she was a beautiful person.Keep all the good times you had together in your heart and she'll always be there.Schoolmate,Friend and Neighbor.Sheila Hill

This is Rainer Perry, daughter of Pearl Dorsey ( Stuart). My fondest memory of Aunt Saburnia follows: Our oldest son Devin Perry was attending orientation for VCU. I contacted Aunt Saberna, urged by my Mom. Aunt Saberna came to the hotel me & my younger son Malcolm were staying at. She drove us around Richmond, pointing out all the historical sites, and along the James River. It was beautiful. After the tour she took us to her home. She offered to have my son Devin stay with her during his college stay if he didn't want to stay on campus. Her embracing us, as family, even though we hadn't been very close was very endearing. It was apparent family ment a lot to her. This was year 2005. I only saw her once after that at My Olive Baptist Church for homecoming day. I'm thankful for the memories and being a part of this family. Such a strong legacy of love and care. Praying we can continue to be close, putting family first as she did. Uncle Alvin, Aunt Leila we love you. Rainer Perry.

Lela, I too remember your Mom from meeting her during my interview for RPS. The person who interviewed me was a gentleman whose name I can't recall at this time. After the interview, the gentleman left the room and in came Mrs. Morris. She said "welcome aboard" and I responded, "thank you". But, in my mind I was saying, "welcome aboard, welcome aboard, is she sending me on a trip or something? No one has ever said that to me when I was hired for all those part-time jobs. I was so naive. I didn't even realize that I was being hired. She stood beside me and assisted me in properly filling out the paper work. Now in a spiritual and very comforting way, I believe that God said,"Welcome aboard, Mrs, Morris, "Welcome aboard". Sandra C. Tapper (retired, John Marshall H.S.)

Sending sympathy and love to you Alvin, your sister and family. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Valerie Prier (Hammond, Louisiana)

To Lela and Family, Our deepest condolences. Dr. & Mrs. Barrington H. Bowser, Jr.

Dear Lela, You are not alone and caring thoughts are with you. Your friends and sorors are all around.

In sympathy, Harriett

Dear Alvin and Lela I am so grateful I had the pleasure of getting to know your wonderful mother. I loved her so much. I will always treasure the beautiful moments I shared with her over the years. She was an amazing woman that I admired . I will miss her so much . She will always be in my heart. Love you all Debra

Mrs. Morris interviewed me for my first teaching job in Richmond Public Schools. She demonstrated a professional style in which I will never forget. Also, I remembered her calling me to let me know a job is being offered to me. As I was about to say,' yes, " Mrs. Morris said." I have already told the principal, 'yes for you." My response was to Mrs. Morris, 'yes, ma." Rest in Peace after a long beautiful life. Rickie G. Hopkins

Dear Lela and Alvin, your Mother was the best friend ever to my Mother, Dorothea K. Yates. She was a guidepost, touchstone, and beloved friend. As a neighbor, she was delightful to my Mother/my Aunt, Thelma Peterson and our world was colored brightly by her presence. May God continue to be with and comfort you at this time. Love, Diane Yates (Baltimore, MD) and Jean Peterson Quiller (Richmond, VA)

Your Name I wrote your name in the sand, but the waves washed it away. I wrote your name in the sky, but the wind blew it away. So I wrote your name in my heart, and that's where it will stay, always,

May you continue to celebrate the joy of mom this day and forevermore!

We love you!

Floyd W Green III, and family

Dear Lela and Alvin, Your Mom was a gem. She was always a kind person and no nonsense. I will never forget how she helped me when I was in ninth grade and I broke down in tears in her office after my pocketbook was stolen off my desk in homeroom when I had gone up to the front of the classroom to talk with the teacher. I was so upset, not because of any little bit of money that was in it, but because my Mom's Thalhimer's credit was in there from a purchase I had made like two days earlier and had forgotten to return to my Mom ASAP. And I was upset that one of my classmates seated in the back of the room with me -- we were all seated alphabetically -- would have done that. I will never forget how kind and comforting your Mom was to me on that day in that circumstance. Someone found my pocketbook or wallet dumped in a trash can somewhere in the city later. The credit card never reappeared. But what sticks with me all these years is how your Mom handled things. She never disclosed to me the details, but I think she called a couple of girls into her office and had a chat with them. There was never another problem after that. She was my hero. There are many other stories, kindnesses, with AKAs and the debutantes, etc., but that was always No. 1 to me. I know you both have many wonderful memories of your Mom's love, warmth and kindness. May you hold them close in your hearts forever. And may God wrap you both in his care, especially during the coming days. With love and sympathy, Bonnie Winston

Mrs. Morris interviewed me for my first job with RPS. Years later, we would sit on the same pew at church most Sundays. I always enjoyed speaking with her, and have missed her at church. My condolences to Lela, Alvin, and the family.

My sidekick at RPS in Human Resources for 30 years. She was a very, very special lady and I loved working with her. My sympathy goes out to her children. Love, Elaine Effron Dunn.

Dear Alvin and Family, May the beautiful memories of your Mother, and the love and comfort of God abide with each of you during this tender time. Will will continue to pray with and for you all. Love, Bill & Eve Hasket/Hampton, VA

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.