Betty "Jean" McMillan Morris was born to Earl and Pearl Emrich McMillan, August 12, 1932 in Clay County, Kansas. She passed away from Alzheimer's disease December 22, 2020 in Springfield, Missouri.

Her family moved to a Douglas County, Missouri farm, south of Cabool, when Jean was three to escape the drought and dust storms of Kansas. The farm, with 300 acres, furnished house, barn, animals and equipment included, was owned by her parents for nearly 60 years. From an early age Jean helped on the farm. One of her first responsibilities was to wash and candle the chicken eggs before they were sent to market. She also milked cows, helped hay and other farm chores. At age ten Jean was blessed to have a baby sister Karen added to the family.

At age nine Jean gave her heart to the Lord at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church and was baptized in the North Fork River.

Jean attended the one room rural schools, having her dad as her teacher one year. She graduated from Cabool High School in 1950, Southwest Missouri State College (now MSU) in 1954 majoring in home economics, and Drury College with her Master's Degree in 1985. During her college years Jean made many life long friends through her membership at First Baptist Church and college activities, including Bruin Boosters Drum Corp-majorette, Kappa Omicron Phi honorary sorority, Baptist Student Union and Homecoming Queen 1953.

While attending college Jean met her husband Allan G Morris when they were lab partners in biology class. They married April 12, 1954 in Springfield, MO and were married 43 years, raising three children. Ten years after Allan's death in 1997, she married William E. "Bill" Dewitt in 2007. They shared six years until Bill's death in 2013.

Jean and Allan worked and raised their children in Springfield, Missouri. What fortunate children they were, with loving parents, grandparents and other family very active in their young lives.

After years as a homemaker, volunteer and substitute teacher, Jean taught home economics full time in the Springfield Public Schools for 20 years. In 1985 she and Allan moved to the Branson area, making their home on Table Rock Lake. She drove the hour to Springfield during the school year, continuing to teach at Jarrett Junior High until retirement in 1992. Jean was an active member in a number of vocational and educational associations MSTA, MoHETA-state teacher of the year 1991-92, MVA, AVA, and HEIH.

After retirement Jean and Allan enjoyed more time for travel and activities with their children and grandchildren. Jean continued to be active in garden club, dinner club, Taneyhills library club, IBPEO, Ozark Women's Association, Branson First Presbyterian Church-Deacon, and several Bridge clubs.

Jean is survived by her children: Pam Jones, Cindy DiStefano (Bob), and Greg Morris; her sister Karen Young; her aunt Lorene Emrich Cecil; six grandchildren; two nieces and their families; many cousins and friends.

Please direct memorial contributions to Alzheimer's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20891, or brightfocus.org/stopAD to help find a cure.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic a celebration of Jean's life is postponed at this time.