Gertha Belle (Jones) Morton, 92, entered into the presence of her Heavenly Father Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. She was born Nov. 9, 1923, to Clay and Emma (King) Jones in Lead Hill, Ark., and is the last surviving of nine siblings born to this union.
On June 30, 1944, she married Leo Morton in Lead Hill, Ark., and they were blessed with five children: Walter, Danny, Brenda, Beverly, and Barbara. They moved to Springfield, Mo., in 1950.
Gertha was a bindery worker at Gospel Publishing House, where she served from 1958 until her retirement in 1988.
Gertha was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Leo; parents, Clay and Emma Jones; and nine siblings, Zesta Risley, Vernon Jones, Erma Davis, Ewell “Short” Jones, Ray Jones, Faye Jones, Ima Jean “Doolie” Johnson, and Pyrtle Jones. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Walt and Joyce Morton, Danny and Dianne Morton, Brenda and Harold Lochner, Beverly and Ken Scott, and Barbara and Irvin Jones; 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Melissa and Willie Hyden, Andy Morton, Danny Robert and Michaela Morton, Darryl and Annisa Morton, Darren and Cara Morton, Kristin Lochner, Jamie and Thao Lochner, Adam Scott, Aaron and Missy Scott, Alison and Doug Norman, Tonya and Bob Madsen and Terry Jones; 20 great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by a host of family, friends, and those who so faithfully cared for her during her illness.
Gertha loved quilting, cooking, gardening, and canning. She especially loved having her babies and grandbabies come to visit and was never happier than when there was a large holiday gathering or a family reunion at her home.
She was a member of Strafford First Assembly of God.
Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26, at Greenlawn East. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, also at Greenlawn East, with the Reverends Darryl Morton and Darren Morton officiating.
The family wishes to express special thanks to Terri and the others who provided care for Gertha during her long illness, as well as to the staff on Cox South 700 floor for the compassionate support provided to the family during their mother’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Gertha’s honor to Alzheimer’s Association or
American Cancer Society.