Blondelia Spicer Morris

Blondelia S. Morris was born on April 12, 1925 in Greenville, North Carolina to Reverend George W. Spicer and Hattie Briley    Spicer. They migrated to Norfolk, Virginia when Blondelia was nine months old. Reverend George W. Spicer Sr. and Hattie Spicer had one son, Mansfield. She was the second child. They grew up with the Lord in their life. Blondelia’s mother died when she was 11 years old, leaving behind two boys Mansfield and a 3-day old baby named James) and four girls (Blondelia, Naomi, Christine, and Mary). Reverend George W. Spicer Sr. remarried five years later to Lannie Garland. With this marriage five children were brought on board and another brother was born, George Spicer Jr., making this 12 children. Blondelia’s formal education began at John T. West Elementary School in Norfolk, Virginia. She was promoted and went on to Booker T. Washington High School. When Blondelia completed the 11th grade, the family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia. She completed her studies at Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, graduating in 1943. Blondelia married shortly after graduation in 1945 and migrated back to Norfolk, Virginia. She later began to take classes at Norfolk State University and Tidewater Community College. Her interests were reading and literature. Completing the required courses, she enrolled in the Writer’s Digest School. Upon graduation, she began studies at the Institute of Children’s Literature. After graduating from the Institute, she pursued studies at Northwestern University. She graduated in 2002 with a Master’s degree in Drama and Directing. Blondelia was a professional author, educator, playwright, and poet. One of her books, “Hag-A-Ma-Doodle”, rests in the Norfolk Public Library system. This book is used in an out-of-town school system for pre-K to 6th grade classrooms, with a study guide. Two of her poems won awards and she was given her personal V.I.P. number. She has written many plays and booklets. Her last book was Geraldine Green published 2023.

Marriage

Blondelia was married to Matthew Morris Sr. for 42 years. They were parents of four boys (late James Jr., late Vernon, late Matthew Jr., and Anthony).

Church

Blondelia Morris was raised by loving parents, who told her about the Lord at an early age, giving her a Bible to read. She joined First Calvary Baptist Church under Reverend O.J. Allen in 1935. In the year of 1989, she moved her membership to St. Paul’s CME Church. She became a regular for Sunday school and Bible study. She was an usher, missionary, Sunday school superintendent, on the Board of Christian Education, the Drama Ministry, church newspaper, and the Senior Ministry (F.Y.F.F.) for many years. She sent cards for birthdays, illness, bereavement, and anniversaries. These cards were sent when the members relocated. The Women’s Ministry began in 2018, and Blondelia joined immediately. She was a loyal and faithful member.

Work History

Blondelia began work as a temp at the age of 17 in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. Men went to Vietnam and they hired black women as temps for three years. At the end of the three years, Blondelia found work as a Domestic. Twenty years later the federal programs began, and she applied for work as a para-professional with the Norfolk City schools. This was classroom work with teachers. She was soon placed in a lab setting to teach math and reading. Blondelia taught reading for 15 years. When the secretary retired, Blondelia applied for the job and was hired at the same school. Three years later, she had an overnight hearing and visions loss, causing her to resign. During Hire the Handicapped week, she was selected among many applicants for work, and after proving she was able to do the required tasks, she was hired as an account technician on the computer, processing receipts for ships and stores. After working for seven years, her husband Blondelia had to resign to take care of him. He died in 1989. Now as a senior citizen, she had to find work. She was directed to the AARP program in Norfolk, Virginia. Its aim is to help seniors re-enter the workforce. Through this program, she was hired at the Norfolk Senior Center as Manager of the gift and thrift shops. It was a two year job. When it ended, Blondelia walked across the street to the Maxway department store on 21st street, took a math and reading test, and was hired on the spot. This job as clerk lasted 18 years. Maxway closed the store and she went to Family Dollar and was hired immediately. She resigned in 2012 at the age of 87 years. She enjoyed working. She holds many of her accomplishments very dear to her heart. She won an award from the admiral at the navy base and a cherished award from Senator Yvonne Miller for her work with the Teacher Corps program as a para-professional. For her award as a para-professional, she was given a four-year scholarship to attend Norfolk state. She dearly cherished her accomplished works, earning her degrees, certificates, and diplomas. To the end of studies, she read every day. She loved books, especially her Bible.