Dorothy Beatrice (Qualls) Morris

Age 93, a 53-year resident of Petaluma, died peacefully at home on May 21, 2022. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years Herbert. She is survived by her son, Samuel (Rashida), of London, England, and her daughters, Brenda Penney (Charlie) of Las Vegas, NV, and Karen Morris, of Petaluma, CA.  Grandchildren Anthony Buford-Lewis III, Carl Lewis, Jeffery Lewis, Victoria Penney, Steven Morris, Elizabeth Cole, and Tyler Morris; Great-grandchildren India Wilson, Carl Wilson, Brittney Lewis, Joshua Lewis, Blake Lewis, Hakeem Sayeed, Dimitri Morris, Athia Morris, Tyler Morris Jr., Alana Morris, and Sienna Morris; Great Great-grandchildren Zahkiya Wilson, Carl Wilson Jr. and Peter Wilson. Dorothy also had numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Anna Mae Qualls; siblings, Mae Francis Qualls and Samuel Qualls Jr.; Great great-grandchild Dayja Jones (08/18/2006 to 01/08/2007).

Dorothy was born January 30, 1929 in St. Louis, MO and was raised in Indianapolis, IN where she graduated from Crispus Attucks High School.  Dorothy moved to Petaluma, CA in 1969, when her husband, Herbert Morris who was in the U.S. Air Force was station at Hamilton Air Force Base, Novato, CA.

After moving to Petaluma, in the late 60’s and early 70’s she worked for –

Pacific Telephone (Ma Bell) as customer service representative Hewlett Packard and H&R Block as a book-keeper, the City of Petaluma, and the Santa Rosa

Junior College

In 1990 at the age of 62 she graduated from the Santa Rosa Jr College with a BS in Criminal Justice.

She served the communities of Petaluma and Sonoma County advocating for the young, elderly, and disadvantage by serving on many boards and committees including:

The Petaluma Recreation, Music, and Park Committee Lucchesi Community Center (her name is on the plaque) Lucchesi Senior Center Petaluma Health Center Board Petaluma Ecumenical Project Board Sonoma County Area on Aging CA Senior Legislature (Senior Assemblymember and Senior Senate) Sonoma County Juvenile Justice Commission, Registrar of Voters as a Poll Worker and later a Precinct Inspector CA Youth Authority Commission Foster Grandparent Advisory Board Sonoma County Chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women.

She also belonged to many organizations including;

The Red Cross Petaluma Christmas Cheer Program The New Comers Club Petaluma Blacks for Community Development Toastmasters The Petaluma Woman’s Club

Dorothy was a faithful member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and St. John’s Anglican Church, where she served on the vestry, altar guild, acolyte mom, and the Episcopal Community Services Board.  Her family and friends will always remember her smile, strong nature, determination, fortitude, giving heart, and her deviled eggs.

Family and friends are invited to attend the vigil at Parent-Sorensen’s Mortuary, at 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, CA 94952, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Celebration of Life will be held at the Petaluma Church of Christ, 370 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy, Petaluma, CA 94954, at 11:00 a.m. on June 2, 2022, with reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dorothy’s honor can be made to:

John’s Anglican Church, 532 S. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954, Providence Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran Street, Petaluma, CA 94952 The Petaluma Health Center, 1179 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954

.

Memorial Donation

Visitation

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

FD12 CR91 Petaluma, California 94952

Celebration of Life

Thursday, June 02, 2022

11:00 AM

Petaluma Church of Christ

370 Sonoma Mountain Parkway Petaluma, CA 94954