Verzena C. Morris

Verzena Chevelle Morris, daughter of Verna Mae Allen and the late Charles William Morris, was born on March 8, 1965 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was peacefully called home on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Verzena, affectionately called “Granny,” was immensely dedicated to her brothers, Vernon, Sr., and Emanuel Mack, Jr., who preceded her in death. She adored her mother and was very protective of her throughout her life. She was a loyal friend who was always willing to lend a helping hand. She would graciously provide encouragement and the teaching of right and wrong to her nieces and nephews and young people in general. Sometimes with a sharp tongue. Sometimes with a gentle nudge, she would always embrace the young people in a manner that was sincere and “real”.

After graduation from the Lake Clifton Senior High School in 1983, she went to work for Baltimore City Public Schools as a paraprofessional. After availing herself of professional development activities and career advancement courses, she was promoted to the position of School Secretary. At the time of her passing, she was serving as School Secretary at the BCPSS Career Academy, a joint collaboration between the School System and the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

Memories of Verzena will be cherished by her mother, Verna Mae; brother, Vernon Sr., and godfather, Mr. Leonard; she will be remembered by her nephew, Vernon Allen Jr.; nieces, Katrina  Allen, Ebony Tates (Michael Tates), Amanda Shackleford (Elton Shackleford, Sr.), and Octavia Mack; great nieces, Kayla Brown, Ashanti Dickens, Lexington Allen, Tameira Boyd and Kendall Shackleford; great nephews, Tyquan Jackson, Vernon Allen, III, Joden Cox, Tishaun Allen, Takai Allen, Carroll Boyd and Elton Shackleford, Jr.; other relatives and friends, along with beloved co-workers and her precious students of the Career Academy.