Brownie Lester Morris, 86, of Stanardsville, Va. Died March 12, 2008. She was born July 7, 1921, at Cootes Store, Va. to the late Sylvia Hevner and George Lester. She was raised by her maternal grandparents. Lily and Wade Rhinehart,on the Rhineheart homeplace at Linville and later in Broadway, Va. She was graduated from Broadway High School and Madison College in Harrisonburg.

After graduation she began her teaching career in South Norfolk, Va. during World War II. In 1945 she returned home to teach at Broadway High School for ten years ,providing financial and emotional support for her grandparents. In 1955, she married the late Norman. W. Morris of Dyke, Va. , former principle of Broaddus Wood School in Earlysville and principle of Kempsville Elementary School in Princess Anne County.

Mrs. Morris continued her teaching career in Princess Anne County which later became a part of the City of Virginia Beach. She taught third grade at Kempsville Elementary School and eighth grade English at Kempsville Junior High. For over thirty years she was an active member of Community United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was a member of the United Methodist Women.

In 1988, she and her husband moved to Greene County where she joined the Greene County Singers, the Spotswood Trail Garden Club and Mt. Olivet United Church of Christ at Dyke. She played the piano and helped direct the choir at Mt. Olivet.

Music was God's gift to Brownie and music became her gift to others. Not only did she participate in church and community music groups, but also gave private piano lessons to students in Virginia Beach and Greene County. She also donated pianos to churches and schools.

She is survived by her son, Ron Morris and his wife Jenny and their children, Martha, Phoebe and Henry of Stanardsville. In addition to her parents, grandparents and husband, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Connie Huston and Nancy Sten.

A funeral service will be held at Mt. Olivet United Church of Christ in Dyke at 2:00 p.m. Sunday March 16, 2008 with Rev. Janet Legro officiating, Interment will follow at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday March 15, 2008 at the Ryan Funeral Home in Quinque.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Dyke Volunteer Fire Dept., Greene County Rescue Squad, Mt Olivet UCC Church or Community United Methodist Church. The family wishes to thank the staff of Evergreene Nursing Care center and of Evergreene Meadows for the loving care they have given to Brownie over the last two and half years.

Ryan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.