Nov. 19, 1926 – May 27, 2014

NATCHEZ — Services for Virginia Lee Beltzhoover Morrison, 87, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at her residence, Green Leaves, will be at 3 p.m. today at Green Leaves, with the Rev. Walton Jones of Trinity Episcopal Church officiating.

Burial will follow in Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until service time today at Green Leaves.

Mrs. Morrison was born Nov. 19, 1926, at Green Leaves, the daughter of Melchior Roch Beltzhoover and Ruth Audley Britton Wheeler Beltzhoover.

Virginia Lee Beltzhoover and George Morrison Jr. were married at Green Leaves on Jan. 15, 1950.

She was a graduate of Natchez High School, she studied fashion design and liberal arts at Finch College in New York City.

A proud participant in every Pilgrimage since its inception, Mrs. Morrison graciously received guests at Green Leaves during each Fall and Spring Pilgrimage since 1932.

She was also a student of her family’s genealogy and history and the guardian of its documents and traditions. She delighted the young and young at heart with her unique collections, including her beloved teddy bear Christmas tree each year at Green Leaves.

She was a longtime member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club and of its board of directors, for which she served as Parliamentarian, and of the Spring Pilgrimage Homeowners Association.

A committed member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Mrs. Morrison served for many years as the treasurer of St. Hilda’s Guild.

Her studies of her family’s history led to her proud participation and membership in numerous organizations including the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Mississippi, the Natchez Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was a 50 – year member, the Thomas Minor Society, the Denison Society, the First Families of Mississippi and the Historic Natchez Foundation.

Some of her most treasured friends were the members of the Order of the Garter or “The Garter Girls,” her childhood friends who, after World War II, all wore the same wedding garter. Their traditions have now been passed on to their children and grandchildren.

Her husband, George Morrison Jr.’s service in the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troops during World War II led to her longtime membership in and support of the 10th Mountain Division Association.

As a devoted pet and animal lover, she was an especially ardent supporter and volunteer for the Natchez Adams County Humane Society.

Mrs. Morrison was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one son, George Beltzhoover Morrison; one brother, Melchior Roch Beltzhoover Jr.; and one sister, Ruth Audley Britton Beltzhoover Conner.

Survivors include her four children, Ann Borodel Morrison Visco and husband, Charles, of Islamorada, Fla., Joie Stanton Morrison of Natchez, Daniel Beltzhoover Morrison and wife, Uta, of Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, and William Beltzhoover Morrison and wife, Kim, of West Monroe; six grandchildren, Britton Hartman and wife, Sasithon, of Waimea, Hawaii, Virginia Lee Hartman of Miami Beach, Wheeler Morrison and wife, Stacie, and Langdon Morrison, all of Atlanta, Hannah Morrison and Julia Morrison, both of West Monroe; one great-granddaughter, Ama Hartman of Leavenworth, Wash.; and extended family including nieces and nephews, Melchior Beltzhoover III, Ruthie Coy and husband, Jim, Aylett Dickman, Rick Conner and wife, Debbie, Denison Graham, Anne Wagner and husband, Rex, Bill Conner, Stephen Lobby and Melissa Farish Morrison, who was like a daughter to her.

Pallbearers will be Britton Hartman, Wheeler Morrison, Langdon Morrison, Melchior Beltzhoover III, Charles Visco, Forrest Flinn, Rick Conner and Bill Conner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Natchez Adams County Humane Society or to the charity of your choice.

A special thanks to her devoted caregivers and the dedicated staff of Deaconess Hospice, who provided an invaluable service.

Online condolences may be made to lairdfh.com.