Dora Morris

Dora Maria Mendoza Morris, age 91, of Miami, Florida, entered eternal rest in December 5, 2025. She was born on April 24, 1934, in Miami to Celido and Caridad Mendoza, the youngest of six siblings: Celida, Celido Jr., Anna, Armando, and Asela. Dora was deeply close to her extended family and cherished her role as aunt to thirteen nieces and nephews.

On February 19, 1955, Dora married her high school sweetheart, James Edward Morris, at Gesu Catholic Church in Miami. This year they joyfully celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, a testament to a lifetime of love, devotion, and faith shared together. Their marriage was a shining example of commitment and tenderness, inspiring all who knew them. Together they built a loving family, raising three children: James Edward (who preceded her in death), Phyllis Jeanne (married to Richard Hamilton), and Paul Joseph (married to Amy Catherine). Dora also carried in her heart the memory of two children taken to heaven too soon.

She was blessed with five grandchildren: Jennifer Laura, Leslie Anne, Melody Jayne, Sarah Elizabeth, and James William, and one great-grandchild, Connor Rahilly. Each of them will forever cherish her devotion, warmth, and the countless ways she nurtured their lives.

Dora was a lifelong caretaker, dedicating herself tirelessly to her family and extending her love to countless foster children who found comfort and stability in her home. She found joy in cooking and baking for loved ones, filling her home with comfort and hospitality. She was also a gifted crafter, skilled in crochet and painting, and delighted in collecting Hummels and Wedgewood pieces, appreciating the beauty they brought into her life. Dora especially loved her Shelties, whose companionship brought her joy and reflected her gentle, caring nature.

A woman of deep faith, Dora was a devout Catholic who spent her life serving others in times of crisis and volunteering in her parish community. She held a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mother, whose example of love and compassion guided her own life.

Her funeral service will be held at St. James the Greater Roman Catholic Church in Concord, North Carolina on Friday, December 12, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:00am. Interment will follow at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina at 11:00am.

Dora will be remembered for her boundless love, her gentle strength, and her unwavering faith. Just as she cherished the beauty of rose bushes and butterflies, her life was a testament to resilience, grace, and the quiet joy found in nurturing others. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to bloom in the hearts of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203.