Mary D. Morris

With love and gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Mary Morris of Battle Creek Michigan, announces her peaceful passing at Heritage Assisted Living and Memory Care, on December 26, 2025 at age 86, where she was surrounded by the same warmth and love she offered so generously throughout her life.

Born March 14th, 1939, to Jack and Lucille Mohoney. Mary was the first child born. Four years later she became a big sister when her brother Harry was born. On August 29th, 1966, Lucille remarried her beloved husband John Bolley who had 3 children Debbie, Luther and Theresa this is when they became a family. The children grew up in a small house in Battle Creek where they learned the importance of a good work ethic, humanity and unconditional love. Money was tight but the love was abundant.

Mary was a history enthusiast. To honor her love for history her family shares Mary’s birth story. Mary was born in Delton Michigan at Benard Hospital. She was 1 of 400 babies born during 1937-1956 while Benard’s served as a hospital before transitioning in 1962 becoming the "Benard Historical Society and Museum." Mary enjoyed Genealogy and was very successful finding facts long before modern technology.

Mary was known for her kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering love for her family and friends. Mary was loved deeply and will forever be missed and cherished by those fortunate enough to know her.

Mary graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1957. After graduation she worked at Grand Trunk Railroad for 14 years. This inspired her collection of miniature trains which she displayed during the holidays. Mary also worked as a realtor for over 40 years, retiring from Reece Reality in 2012. Her talent, honesty and work ethic led her to become a respected and loved member of the community.

On November 12, 1959, Mary married Howard "Bing" Morris and celebrated 66 wonderful years together before his passing on July 2,2020.

While Bing worked for the Battle Creek Gas Company for many years they also renovated and ran an apartment complex. They worked hard and lived a modest life. Their biggest accomplishment and greatest joy was their three sons, who she loved dearly. Mary would often say “They’re all my boys”. Her sons recall working on the rentals, painting apartments and being taught the importance of contributing to the family.

Mary enjoyed watching game shows and would blurt out the answers, (the correct answers) on Jeopardy long before the contestants could answer. Mary loved playing Bingo and was a familiar smiling face at the casino.

She loved traditions from filling up the Christmas stockings, trips to Sault St Marie to watch the ships come in, or gatherings around the kitchen table engaged in a game of cards. She found happiness in the smallest things like going to garage sales, dinner at the Truck Stop or attending her son Brad’s Special Olympic events. She was patient and moved at her own pace, which was slow and steady. The first to show up and the last to leave. She took in every minute. She was caring and always helping others. She opened her home to family and friends. She never passed a Salvation Army box without stopping to drop in a little money.

Mary enjoyed traveling and looked forward to her annual “Girl friends” trip, where she would vacation with high school girlfriends who called themselves “The Seven Dwarfs."

Bing and Mary explored the world on cruises joined with their friends. In recent years she looked forward to nightly drives with her husband to Fort Custer National Cemetery to look for deer or stopping by one of her boy’s houses just to say hi and see what was going on.

Mary’s boys remember traveling around the country in a packed station wagon where they would meet up with their friends the Nelson’s. Enjoying hikes, campfires and lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Summers were spent at a cottage on Crooked Lake. The days were filled with jumping off the dock, swimming, fishing, friends, loud music, laughter and not a space left on the floor where there wasn't a kid sleeping.

Mary was a Girl Scout leader for many years and a Cub Scout leader for her boys troops. She helped out in her children's classrooms and was a hands on Mom. She had dinner on the table every night at 4:35 when Bing arrived home from work. Her boys teased her for years about the repeat of her thin sliced pork chop dinners but admired and respected her dedication to the value of family time.

Mary is survived by her siblings Harry Mohoney of Encinitas California, Debbie (James) Burke of Dayton Tennessee and Theresa Marks of Dayton Tennessee. Her children William (Kaleen) Morris, Patrick Morris and Bradley (Bart Man) Morris of Battle Creek. Her Grandchildren Lucille and Jacob Barbee, Archie Morris, Drake Morris, Jenna Morris and their Mother Mary C Morris. Her Great Grandson Beau Barbee and her Godchild Karen Heuer.

The family will receive friends on Monday January 12th from 10:00 - 11:00 am with a funeral service taking place at 11:00 am at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home located at 703 Capital Ave SW Battle Creek with a burial to follow at Battle Creek Memorial Park Cemetery.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Special Olympics of Michigan which was a cause close to Mary's heart.