Julia Smith Morris, a current resident of Ball Ground, but a lifelong resident Atlantan passed away on September 20, 2009 at the age of 90, succumbing to Alzheimer's and cancer.
Born October 6, 1918, she attended school in Atlanta back in the days when Atlanta only had four high schools. In those days, Mr. Rich, of Rich's Department Store, gave every graduating senior girl a dozen red roses! Julia secretly married her high school sweetheart, Mathis V. "Bay" Morris in 1941. Having just joined the Naval Reserve, Bay was soon converted to active duty and eventually stationed in San Francisco. Onboard The Lassen, an ammunition ship, he became Chief Petty Officer. Julia moved to San Francisco, working for Hartford Insurance to be able to see bay on leave. She had many interesting "war stories" of her own, living in San Francisco until the end of the war.
Upon returning to Atlanta and building a new home, Julia and Bay became charter (founding) members of Skyland Methodist Church. Their first services were held in a laundry mat with a handful of other couples and a young minister from Emory. Skyland is still there today.
During her high school years, Julia was part of a youth group at Epworth Methodist church on McLendon Avenue near Little Five Points. The girls formed a club called the Zorakas and have met once a month to discuss "business" at each other's homes for over 60 years. After sharing their entire lives together, the Zorakas were much more than just friends. They officially disbanded just a few years ago, no longer able to drive. Only a handful of this wonderful group are still living. As the World War II generation passes on, we are losing part of what makes us "America", a cohesiveness to this country that was fiercely patriotic and God fearing, willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary, not only in war, but in every aspect of their lives. They were a generation that didn't take, they gave.
Julia Smith Morris, a widow since 1982, is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Julie and David Boone, their son Mathis Zachary Boone,Sister, Betty Spence , Norcross, Ga  nieces Priscilla Smith, Phyllis Taylor, Dottie Green, Cairenn Martin, and Alice Keown, nephews W.T. "Skip" Morris III, Kevin Kelly, and John Kelley. She will be missed! Funeral Services will be Held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday Oct. 24, 2009 From the Chapel of the Darby Huey Funeral Home, Canton, GA . Visitation Wednesday 6PM- 8 PM . Interment in White Chapel Cemetery Duluth, GA