Sonya Karen Dick Morris

Sonya Karen Dick Morris departed this earthly life for her heavenly home on Friday, the 24th day of May 2024.

Sonya was born on December 4, 1953, to Nancy Jean Phelps Dick and Vernon Thomas Dick, their only and beloved child. She completed her early education at Science Hill School, graduating in 1967, and later graduated from Somerset High School in 1971. She earned her associate’s degree from Somerset Community College in 1973.

Sonya began her career in social services at the food stamp office. After marrying the love of her life, James Allen Morris, on June 28, 1975, she moved to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They returned to Science Hill in 1977 after James completed his military service. Sonya then worked for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Protection & Permanency, starting as a secretary and retiring as a billing clerk after 29 years in 2006. She was a dedicated advocate for foster parents and children across a 10-county region during her tenure. Her co-workers became a second family, and she cherished the memories they made, especially at the office on College Street.

In addition to her work with the state, Sonya once ran a framing business, The Hollow Tree, with her husband and close friends. She enjoyed framing prints and making treasured pieces for friends and customers.

In 1982, Sonya and James welcomed their daughter, Amanda, into the world. Though she might look and act like her father, Amanda would grow up to be Sonya’s very best friend. Though their family of three was small, their love and commitment to each other was and will continue to be endless.

Sonya began attending Northside Missionary Baptist Church before she was even born, her mother and grandmother charter members of the church. She accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and was baptized on October 6, 1963, and spent the rest of her life serving and seeking His will. One of her greatest honors was working alongside her dear friend, Jim Denney, with the children in the church in the 1970s and 80s, children she would love as her own for the rest of her life. She played in the church softball league and was a Sunday School teacher, church clerk, and organist for many years. As her health declined, she continued to serve by operating the church’s prayer chain.

Sonya was also passionate about the Science Hill Cemetery Association, an organization devoted to the care and upkeep of the Science Hill Cemetery. She served as both president and secretary and took great pride in honoring those interred there.

She loved her family, friends, her church, Kentucky Wildcats basketball (she’ll be cheering on Coach Pope from a seat better than any in Rupp Arena), road trips with her family, traveling with Amanda to see Clay Aiken in concert for many happy years, and her two cherished dogs, Charlie and Bandit.

Sonya was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Nancy Jean; grandparents, Johnny C. Dick and Ida Mae Randolph Dick, and Earl Phelps and Grace Cain Phelps; sister-in-law, Eva “Peanut” Dyer; father-in-law, John Morris; dear friends, Janie Sears and Hilda Wilson; and many beloved aunts and uncles.

Left to mourn her passing are her husband, James “Chief” Morris of Science Hill, KY; daughter, Amanda Karen Morris of Science Hill, KY; mother-in-law, Beverly Morris of Science Hill, KY; much-loved aunt, Carolyn Phelps of Somerset, KY; cousins and “little sisters,” Karla Crawford of Somerset, KY and Vickie Denney of Stanford, KY; last remaining uncle, Ronnie Dick of Science Hill, KY; the “Lunch Bunch” (Pam Minton, Anne Tackett, and Anna Turpin); “bonus daughter,” Stacey Absher of Science Hill, KY, special friend and “bonus mom,” Betty Elliott of Science Hill, KY; and a host of cousins, family, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Northside Missionary Baptist Church in Science Hill, KY.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the chapel of Morris & Hislope Funeral Home and after 10 a.m on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Northside Missionary Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Science Hill Cemetery Association, PO Box 186, Science Hill, KY 42553.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.