Violet Maxine Morris Justice passed from this life to her heavenly home on Nov. 5, 2023.
She was born to Bernard Morris and Audrey Mae Pulliam Morris on July 21, 1937, in Philpot, Kentucky, as the youngest of six children. She never lost her love or devotion for Kentucky and has kept in contact with family and friends for over 80 years.
She graduated from Daviess County High School in Owensboro, Kentucky, in 1955 and the Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1958 and proceeded to have a career of nursing for nearly 50 years across Kentucky, North Carolina and Washington state.
Violet married Rev. Paul Justice on Aug. 31, 1958. In 1974, they moved from their southern home for Paul’s new position at Valley Baptist Church in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. They remained in Washington for the rest of Paul’s life and until the last year and a half of Violet’s, serving in several assignments including Alder Street Baptist in Centralia, Washington, Dryad Baptist Church and Oakville Baptist Church. Violet worked as a night supervisor at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley and as an emergency room nurse for most of 27 years at Providence Centralia Hospital, finishing in transitional care before retiring the first time. She also spent two years at Sharon Care Center before her final retirement.
She enjoyed being a member of the Centralia Lions Club and the Marine Corp. League’s Auxiliary in Centralia. One of her greatest joys was teaching children about Jesus. She taught in the many churches she and Paul served in over 60 years in Kentucky, North Carolina and Washington state. They retired as Mission Service Corp “Missionary Emeritus” of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Violet was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Mae Morris; sisters, Winford Morris and Ruby Pulliam; brothers, Rev. Denford Morris, Clenford “Shorty” Morris and Maxie Bernard Morris; half brother, Terry Morris; and husband, Paul Justice.
Surviving Violet are her children, Paul Scott Justice (Juana), Mount Vernon, Washington, Mark Wayne Justice (Cindy), of Antioch California, Jonathan Morris Justice (Mia) Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hope Marie Free (Brian), San Antonio, Texas; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and young ones over the years she viewed as “foster” children since she had come to love them.
She referred to her kids and grandkids as her ‘troop” and loved them dearly. Prince, her beloved dog, was a constant companion to Paul and Violet until they passed. The joy he brought her in later years eventually worked him into her heart so much she included him in the count as one of her “sons.”
Violet touched everyone she met in a special way that left them a little bit brighter. She made us all want to try a little harder just to be better people. Even in her last days, caregivers would comment on what an exceptionally sweet, gentle and loving personality she had.
Services in her memory will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at 1010 Alder St. Centralia, Washington. Fellowship and food will follow on site.
flIn lieu of flowers, Violet would have you contribute in her memory to one of the following:
• Veterans Memorial Museum (100 SW Veterans Way, Chehalis, WA, 98532)
• Centralia Lions Club (c/o Dr. Joe Dolezal 3802 Mayberry St., Centralia, WA, 98531)
• First Baptist Church of Oakville (P.O. Box 343 Oakville, WA, 98568).
