Career
At the age of 114 years, 246 days, she was the oldest verified living person in the United States following the death of 114-year-old Mary Josephine Ray. On December 22, 2009, Morris, aged 114 years 141 days, surpassed Olivia Patricia Thomas as the oldest Iowan ever verified. On February 13, 2010, Morris became one of the 40 oldest people ever.
Born in Ames, Iowa, where she lived her entire life, to Schuyler and Cambia Freed as the youngest of four children.
Neva Freed married Edward Leonard Morris in 1914. The couple had four children: Leslee, Mary Jane, Walter, and Bettylee.
They lived with Edward’s parents, Gertrude Rutherford and Walter Leonard Morris, on a farm encompassing 224 acres (091 km2) of land. Aged 90 years, she purchased a 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis.
She discontinued driving when she was 95 years of age.
She also enjoyed singing in women's choral groups, including one in Gilbert and the Story County Women's Chorus under the direction of Max Exner. Neva particularly loved to sing “You Are My Sunshine.”
Morris" husband Edward died in 1960. At age 99, Morris moved from her farm home to North Grand Care Center and later to Northcrest Community in 1998.
According to Wickersham in March 2010, she "had hearing and vision loss but was able to participate in limited activity at the nursing home".
At about 4 a.m. on April 6, 2010, Morris died with her 90-year-old son-in-law by her side. She was the second oldest living person in the world.
She is survived by one son, eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. After her death, Eunice Sanborn took over as the oldest in the United States.
