Velma Isabella Morris

Velmar Isabella Polk Morris, 82, the sixth sibling of the late Ulysses Samuel Arthur Polk, Sr. and Velmar Frances Dorman Polk, born on April 11, 1935 in Salisbury, Maryland. She departed this life on November 27, 2017 at Southern Maryland Hospital in Clinton, MD. Velmar attended Allen Elementary School in Allen, MD grades 1- 7. She graduated from the Former Salisbury High School on Lake Street, Class of 1953. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Junior High Education from the former Bowie Teachers College (Bowie State University) in 1957. “Oh Bowie State, dear Bowie State”. She later earned her Master’s Equivalency and Master’s in Administration and Supervision from Salisbury State University in May 23,1981. After servicing one year in Wicomico County and thirty-one years in Worcester she retired in 1992. She was joined in marriage to Roscoe Clemoth Nutter on June 21, 1958. To this union two children were born Chandra Tenise and Patricia Arlene Nutter. Many years after Roscoe’s death, she married Nathan Collins, Sr. on August 4, 1979. Velmar married William Morris on September 14, 2002, after the death of Nathan. Velmar began her teaching career at Flower Street School in Berlin, MD. She ended her professional career as a classroom teacher and curriculum coordinator at Pocomoke Middle School with The Board of Education of Worcester County. She was a member of the Maryland State and Worcester County Retired Teachers Associations. Velmar joined Friendship United Methodist Church of Allen, MD at the age of twelve. She held various positions including Administrative Board Chairperson, Church Treasurer (over Twenty years), Church School Superintendent, Church Historian, and Community Youth Leader. Velmar was a member of the Friendship cluster group, Friendship Community Choir and United Methodist Women. She implemented several annual events in the church such as Friends and Family Day. She loved her family history which inspired her to co-author “History of the Polk Family of Allen, Maryland” in 1976. Velmar was one of the founders of the Polk/Dorman Family Reunion and held the position of treasurer for many years. Velmar was the granddaughter of Thomas Elzey Polk, Sr., a buffalo soldier. This inspired her to become the founder of the Thomas Elzey Polk, Sr. Chapter of “Ninth & Tenth Horse Cavalry Associations of the Buffalo Soldiers.” Velmar founded The 4-H Club “Allen Tornadoes” and The Youth Enrichment Team, Inc. (tutorial program). She served as vice-president of The Allen Improvement Association, which addressed issues on community enhancement and environmental developments of the roads. She served as the only African American on Worcester County’s Initiative to Preserve Families Board of Directors. The purpose was to prevent mental and behavior problem children from leaving the state for treatment and education. Velmar was a member of The American Legion Auxiliary – Spirit of Democracy – Post 145 in Salisbury. She held positions of past president and chairperson of the Girls’ State Committee. She was also a lifetime member of the Salisbury High School Association. In support of Nathan Collins, Sr., she served as president of the Quettes for several years, which is the ladies auxiliary of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. – Pi Alpha chapter. Velmar has been a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., - Beta Tau Chapter. During that time, she served as Basileus, Epistoleus, First anti-Basileus and Historian. She was also chairperson of Newsletter, Fund-raising events, Teach-A-Rama, Human Relations and Constitution committees. On the regional level, she served as committee chairperson of Teach-A-Rama, Marshalls, and Historian. As an active member of the Beta Tau Chapter, in 1993, Velmar served as chairperson of “Men in Our Lives”, and chapter historian. She was actively involved in standing committees including Budget, Dean of Pledgees, Public Relations, and Assault and Illiteracy. Velmar obtained petition signatures to support the non-sale of The Salisbury Nursing Home, which was founded by Beta Tau chapter. Her hobbies included traveling and organizing trips, photography, history, and coordinating weddings and other social events. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband’s William Morris (2015) and Nathan Collins, Sr. (1999) and Roscoe Nutter (1963); her brothers Leonard, Elmer (Elizabeth) and Ulysses, Jr., and one sister Alice DeShield. Velmar is survived by her loving supporting daughters Chandra (Bernard) Ward of Clinton, MD and Patricia Nutter of Upper Marlboro, MD; a special great niece, Brendia DeShield ; two great-great nephews K’Lin DeShield and Keith Davis, Jr.; one great-great niece Ka’Ryiah Dennard of Salisbury, Maryland; four steps sons Nathaniel, Jr. (Wanda) Collins of Waldorf, MD, Marcus Collins of Baltimore, Maryland, Gerald and Gary Morris of Delaware; two step daughters Tamara Gutirrez of Baltimore, MD and Gail Morris of Dover, DE; two step grandson Nathaniel Collins, III of Waldorf, MD and Lucas Gutirrez of Baltimore, Maryland; one step granddaughter Sidney Smith of Baltimore, Maryland; one sister Leoner Battle of Randallstown, Maryland; one sister-in-law Doris Polk of Allen, MD and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Velma Isabella Morris, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Velma Isabella Morris

April 11, 1935 - November 27, 2017