Rita LaFern (Hanner) Morrison, age 81, want to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, May 19, 2024. She was born March 26, 1943 in Dodge City, KS to Marvin LaVerne Hanner and Nettie Fern (Close) Hanner.

Rita graduated from Lincoln Grade School, Dodge City, KS; Dodge City Junior High; and Dodge City High School in 1961. She attended Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, OK in 1962, then transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK where she received her bachelor's degree in special education and learning disabilities in 1968.

Rita taught at Horace Mann Elementary, Oklahoma City; Sequoyah Elementary, Oklahoma City; Piedmont Elementary/Middle School, Piedmont, OK; and Bethany High School, Bethany, OK; and was teaching at Piedmont High School when she retired in 2009. She received the Teacher of the Year award while teaching at Bethany High School, and also while teaching at Piedmont High School.

Rita loved each and every one of her students. She was very devoted and went above and beyond trying to help her students succeed in their lives. You couldn't walk into WalMart, Sam's or a place of business with Rita without at least one of her former students seeing her. They would come running over to her, showing her love, and letting her know what they were doing in their lives, and showing their appreciation of her.

Rita marched with the Dodge City Demons marching band, playing the clarinet in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1960 and 1961. She also enjoyed playing the oboe and piano. She was also a member of the drill team. Rita was elected to the Kansas Council on World Affairs in 1961 and traveled to New York City and Washington, D.C.

Rita and Jimmie Carl (Jim) Morrison were married and blended their families in 1969. Sadly, Jim passed away on October 20, 1980.

Rita enjoyed a large and loving family. She is survived by her son, Ryan Morrison of Yukon, OK; grandson, Jimmie William "JW" Morrison of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Marlene Roach and Rhonda Gunn (husband Greg), both of Oklahoma City; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be Saturday, June 8, 2:00pm at Mercer-Adams Chapel. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed on this obituary page.