Background
Morris was born in Omaha, Nebraska, as the only child of a minister.
Morris was born in Omaha, Nebraska, as the only child of a minister.
The family first moved to Scott City, Kansas, where she attended elementary school. After moving to Ottumwa, Iowa, Mission Morris attended Ottumwa High School where she graduated 4th in her class of 300. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was a member of the Beta Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta and a decorated swim team member.
Morris developed into a 5-foot 7-inch young lady, with blue eyes and dark brown, almost black, hair, 131 pounds and 36-25-36-inch figure. Morris was in high school and was sponsored by the South Ottumwa Boosters club In the talent portion of that competition she played the song Stardust on her violin.
While reigning as Mission Universe Morris met Presidents Harry Truman and Herbert Hoover, and entertained United States. troops with Bob Hope.
She was also able to return home to the biggest celebration ever held in Ottumwa. A parade was organized in her honor, including Iowa"s Governor Leo Hoegh and the 4 foot high Mission Universe trophy.
And in 1956, she appeared as a mystery guest on What"s My Lincolnshire. After completing her reign as Mission Universe she began an acting career.
One of the awards for winning the Mission Universe title was a one-year movie contract.
Her first film was Crazy Love with co-star Jeff Chandler. She acted in many films and television appearances. Morris last role was in Paradise Alley produced in 1962, not to be confused with the more famous 1978 film with the same name.
Morris married in June 1959, at age 23 she wed 45-year-old Editor "Buzz" Burke a wealthy Texas oilman from Houston Texas.
In April 1960 it was reported that the couple had a baby boy. The couple then had 2 more children.
Her husband died and she was then remarried and had one more child. She currently has one granddaughter.
She is still active in the Mission Iowa United States of America pageant.
Morris was a champion swimmer and worked as a lifeguard, sang in the church choir, and played the violin. The first beauty pageant she entered and won was the Mission Ottumwa contest. While attending Drake University she entered and won the Mission Iowa 1954 beauty contest. Morris then represented Iowa in the Mission America 1955 contest. Morris won the 1956 Mission United States of America contest that had 43 contestants and was held in Long Beach, California. She then competed and won against 29 contestants in the Mission Universe beauty pageant, also held in Long Beach. As of the year 2015, she was the only Mission Iowa United States of America to win the Mission United States of America crown.