ISABELLA MORRIS TURNS 100
Noted BVI educator Ms. Isabella Morris will celebrate her 100th birthday on Monday February 19th and her family and friends intend to make it a very special occasion for her. Ms. Morris was born in Carrot Bay and her early education began at home with her father, who had come to the British Virgin Islands as a teacher.
She later attended the Zion Hill School, which was housed in the church building, then located on top of Zion Hill. Having reached standard seven, she sat the usual examination that was administered by the Inspector of Schools who traveled from Antigua for this purpose. She was successful, but decided to return for another year. In October 1916, the school building was destroyed by hurricane. It was rebuilt in 1926. Miss Morris then returned to the school in the capacity of a teacher and taught at West End, Cane Garden Bay and Carrot Bay.
Traveling to school, as Ms. Morris recalls, was sometimes hazardous. Before she bought a horse, much of her travel was done on foot. Sometimes, she and her horse literally swam through ponds and guts in order to get to and from work, it is reported. On one occasion, Ms. Morris and some of her pupils had to sleep in Ballast Bay because of the fierce gut that rolled down from the hills. Ms. Morris retired from the teaching profession in 1962 and has been at home since then.
In March 1980, the new school in Carrot Bay was named in her honour, as a Virgin islander who gave outstanding service as a teacher and community leader. Ms. Morris still resides in Carrot Bay, where she was also very active in church work. She is credited with starting the Women’s League at the Zion Hill Methodist Church and later in Carrot Bay. She also served as church school superintendent for a number of years and class leader as well.
While she was never married and had no children of her own, she mothered a great many. Many of her former students are now the professionals of today. This Sunday, February 18th, a special church service will be held in her honour at the Carrot Bay Methodist Church. A host of family and friends are expecting to come together to celebrate with her. Ms. Morris will attend the service and later, a celebration at the community centre. On Monday, the actual birth date, the Teachers and students of the Isabella Morris Primary School will be hosting a function from 1pm, a programme of tributes and messages from government officials, past Principals, past co-workers and some of her godchildren.
The management and staff of The Island Sun join in congratulating Ms. Morris on becoming a centenarian.
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