Oretha Warner Morris — Memorial Page

✞ Death Announcement

It is with profound sorrow and deep love that the Warner Morris family announces the peaceful passing of Oretha Cornelia Warner Morris on October 9, 2025, just days before her 86th birthday. She departed this life surrounded by the warmth and love of her family. Her homegoing celebration was held Saturday, November 1, 2025 at United Christian Assembly Church, 232 E. Front St, Florence, NJ 08518.

📖 Life Story & Biography

Oretha Cornelia Warner Morris was born on October 22, 1939, in Millsburg, Liberia, West Africa, into a large and close-knit family where love, laughter, and faith were central to daily life. From an early age, she discovered a passion for cooking and baking — a gift that became one of her most cherished ways of expressing love and care. Determined, courageous, and forward-thinking, Oretha later relocated to the United States to further her education and pursue greater opportunities. Her life was a powerful testament to strength, perseverance, and vision. For more than 30 years, Oretha served in the Food and Nutrition Department at St. Vincent Hospital in New York City, where she provided comfort and nourishment to countless patients and staff. Her meals were more than sustenance — they were expressions of compassion, generosity, and humanity. At home, Oretha was the heart of her family. Her kitchen overflowed with the aromas of her cooking, the sound of laughter, and the warmth of her presence. Her home at 297 Lenox Road in Brooklyn, New York, became a true haven — a welcoming place for family and friends. She is survived by her devoted children, Michelle Titus Anderson (Lawrence) and Fred Raynes; and her beloved grandchildren, Lawrence Anderson Jr., Avery Anderson, Ashley Anderson, Nadia Shittu (Habeeb), Violet Raynes, Ammah Raynes, and Alex Raynes. Oretha was preceded in death by her parents, Lt. General Daniel B Warner Sr. and Julia A. Daniels Warner, and her siblings: Beatrice Warner, Marie D. Conduah, Mildred Warner, Rep. Benjamin G. Warner, Adolphus Warner, Velma Warner, Rocky T. Warner, David Norris, William E. Warner, Edith Warner, Rushe Warner, Naomi C. Hoff, Mitchell Warner, Julia Warner Francis, James Warner and Alfred Warner. Always remembered, forever missed.

📋 Funeral Program

📷 Photos — A Life Well Lived

No photos uploaded yet.

💛 Tributes & Memories

TO MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER IN HEAVEN — Michelle (Mickey) Titus Anderson Thank you for your endless love and for always being there when I needed you. I miss you every single day — more than words could ever express. You made wherever we were a home... from 1601 Bedford Ave to 297 Lenox Rd. You filled those homes with love, laughter, and family. You taught me that family is everything, no matter what. You taught me that faith would hold me when everything else failed — and it did. I leaned on that faith, Mama... and I'll continue to do so. In this last year, you showed me what true bravery looks like... I love you, Mama. Always have. Always will. TO MY DEAR AUNTY ORI — Antoinette Tolbert Richardson As a young adult when I couldn't locate my parents after the terrible event of 1980.. you took it upon yourself to locate me in Europe and financed my way to be with you in the states. I will forever be grateful to you ...we shared a special bond that will never be replaced. Your kindness and love will forever be missed. Ori - O Rock ... take your eternal rest and rock on with the angels in heaven till we meet again. TO MY GRANDMA IN HEAVEN — Ashley Simone Anderson From as early as I can remember, you were always there. It's hard to imagine life without you, but I am so deeply grateful for the time we shared. You brought so much joy into our lives with your beautiful contagious smile, and your presence filled every room with warmth and love... Though you are no longer here with us physically, I know you are in heaven, watching over us. You touched my life in more ways than you could ever know, and your love & influence will stay with me forever. Your strength, kindness, and smile will live on in my heart always. A FAREWELL LETTER TO MAMA ORETHA — Fred Ammah Raynes Sr. In our Liberian way, I say it with all my heart: Thank you plenty oooo, Mama Oretha. I struggle to find words that can carry the weight of fifty years of love, sacrifice, and motherhood... I was just four years old when my father placed me in your care. I didn't understand what was happening, but I felt the ache of separation. I cried. And in that moment of confusion and fear, you knelt, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Don't cry." You made me a promise: you would buy me a pair of tennis shoes and take me to school. And then you said the words that changed my life forever "I am your mother now." From that moment, you were my mother. The only mother I ever truly knew... Now, I bid you farewell not goodbye. Because I believe we will meet again. I pray to God for the total transformation of your soul into the highest heaven. May your spirit be wrapped in gladness, may your heart rest in peace, and may your memory live on in every act of love I carry forward. You were my mother. You are my mother. And I will love you forever.

🙏 Acknowledgements

The family of the late Oretha Warner Morris would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your prayers, words of comfort, acts of love, and support during our time of sorrow. We are truly grateful for the strength we have drawn from your kindness, and we thank God for surrounding us with such a caring community. Your presence, calls, cards, food and expressions of sympathy have been a great blessing to us. Thank you for all that you did...we felt your love. Though our hearts are heavy, we find peace in knowing that Oretha is resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May God bless each of you for your compassion and continued prayers. INTERMENT: Lakeview Memorial Park, 1300 Rt-130 N, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 REPAST: Crescent Shriners Hall, 700 Highland Dr., Westampton, NJ 08060 ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO: Exodus Funeral Service, 1740 Greenwood Ave., Hamilton Township, NJ 08609 PALLBEARERS: Avery Anderson | Lawrence Anderson Jr. | Riz Brown | Eric Hoff | Henry Thomas Hoff III | Fred Raynes | Ammah Raynes | Stephen Tolbert FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS