Naomi Joyce (Deathridge Edwards) Morrison

May 13th, 1928 – January 29, 2024

Naomi Morrison, 95, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas. Born on May 13, 1928, in Douglass, Kansas, she was the cherished daughter of the late Virgil and Florence Deatherage. Naomi's life was a remarkable tapestry of devotion, entrepreneurship, and service, woven with the threads of love and resilience.

A graduate of Douglass KS High School in 1946, Naomi furthered her education at the Wichita School of Cosmetology. Her industrious spirit led her to establish a thriving home beauty salon and later to co-found the beloved West Street Toy Box childcare center, which carried on in the family for 42 years.

Naomi's life was rich with the love of her family and the respect of her community. She was the beloved wife of the late James C. Morrison, with whom she shared a loving marriage until his passing after 63 beautiful years together. Her legacy of love and care is carried on by her daughter, Dee Dee Edwards Murphy, her granddaughters, Dawn Murphy and Desiree (Rick) Palmer, and her great-grandchildren, Lillian, Montgomery, and Ezra, all of Wichita. Naomi was the dear sister to eight siblings who preceded her in death.

A woman of faith, Naomi was a dedicated member of the Northside Church of Christ, where she found spiritual fulfillment and fellowship. Her hobbies included reading and oil painting, through which she expressed her creative spirit and serene nature.

There will be two open come-when-you-wish viewings at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 E 21st St N, Wichita KS, on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, from 12pm to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm. Naomi's life will be celebrated in a manner that honors her preference for simplicity and her love for her community.

In place of flowers and in remembrance of Naomi's generous spirit, the family suggests contributions of gently used items to a local charitable thrift store, reflecting her lifelong practice of kindness and sharing.

Naomi's departure is deeply felt by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. She will be remembered for her unwavering positivity, her nurturing heart, and her ability to inspire joy in others. Her memory will be treasured, and her presence deeply missed.