Monday, January 27, 2014

Morris Ready to Proclaim New Joy for Life with Music


Eighty-year-old Joy Morris is counting down the days until her return to her home in Pemberton, Ohio, and is ready to proclaim her new joy for life by playing the organ for her fellow church members at the Pemberton United Methodist Church. Morris, who first started playing the piano at her church at the age of 15, is currently a short-term rehab patient at Versailles Health Care Center following a complicated lengthy hospital stay at Kettering Medical Center

“The doctors tell me that I’m a medical miracle,” said Morris with a brave smile. Her medical miracle started back in mid September when she went to the hospital with complaints of weakness and severe stomach cramps. The emergency room staff at Wilson Memorial Hospital determined that she had a large aortic aneurysm and quickly transferred her to Kettering Medical Center. At Kettering, she underwent a ten-hour surgery to repair the aneurysm. She then suffered internal bleeding and underwent another two-hour surgery. After a one month hospitalization at Kettering Medical Center, her family chose to transfer her to Versailles Health Care Center for further care in its short-term rehab unit. “My family heard really good things about the therapy at Versailles and decided it was the right facility for rehab,” said Morris. “God knew what he was doing in bringing me here. It’s the best place I could’ve come to besides going home.”

According to Morris, who continues to get stronger each day, her plan is to return as a church organist soon. She said, “I have many musical memories and want to keep sharing my music with others as long as I can. I didn’t play every Sunday for about ten years while I was having kids, but I’ve been so dedicated and haven’t missed many Sundays.” Morris began taking piano lessons when she was 10 years old, started playing the piano at her church at 15 and then transitioned to the organ around 1950 when the church replaced the piano with an organ. She also has played the organ at many weddings of family and friends throughout the years. “When Joy plays the organ, it’s the most beautiful sound. She plays with her whole heart and it’s almost like she is singing through her music,” said Pastor Don Burley of the Pemberton United Methodist Church. “We’ve missed her and can’t wait to welcome her back home!”


Morris grew up in Pemberton and graduated from Perry Township High School in 1950 (Perry Township School and Green Township School combined several years after her graduation to form the school now known as Fairlawn Local). After graduation, she worked at Monarch Machine Tool for two years before she married Earl Morris on September 27, 1952 at the same church where she now plays the organ. She and Earl are the proud parents of six children, Kristi Strayer of Arcanum, Ohio, Ron Morris and Kay Anderson both of Sidney, Ohio, Terry (Mac) Morris of Pemberton, Pam Broyles of Morrow, Ohio, and Jon Morris of Anna, Ohio. They have 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. With the exception of about one year when they lived in St. Louis, Missouri, they have made Pemberton their home. In addition to playing the organ, Mrs. Morris has kept busy over the years as a homemaker. She also enjoys flower gardening, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loves sports as well and was a cheerleader during her high school years. Her husband worked for Sidney City Schools for 21 years and then the City of Sidney for ten years before retiring in 1995.

After three months at Versailles Health Care Center, Morris will complete her Homeward Bound Program and return home soon. “The people here truly care. I’ve had my good days and then my not so good days and throughout it all, the nurses and therapists have been very supportive. They’ve helped me get better each day, so I can go home.” While Morris’ days are busy with therapy sessions and visiting family and friends, she has enjoyed meeting other patients and making new friends. “I’m used to taking care of and helping others. I helped my mom take care of my grandma at home for about six months and then in later years, I took care of my mom for about 15 years. I tend to want to help the other patients here too!”

The staff and residents at Versailles Health Care Center have enjoyed Mrs. Morris during her stay and would like to thank her for sharing her remarkable story with everyone. Versailles Health Care Center is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center that offers short-term rehab services, outpatient therapy, and long-term care. Versailles Health Care Center sent home 166 patients that utilized its short-term rehab services in 2013 and 159 in 2012! If you are interested in learning more about Versailles Health Care Center, please call us at 937.526.5570, or visit on the web at www.versailleshealthcare.com.

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