Melda Buskirk Hatfield Morris
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Bio
Melda Buskirk Hatfield,* born March 27, 1912, was a hard-working, sweet natured woman who enjoyed being with her family. She had a soft voice and welcoming smile. Melda was a wonderful cook and hosted many family and church dinners. Of many favorites, her Home Comfort** raisin pie, applesauce pie, potato candy, biscuits, and Johnny cakes stand out.
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Melda married Grant Orville Morris on September 14, 1935. Orville, the son of Floyd and Nancy Jane Stafford Morris, was born May 9, 1914.
Orville and Melda
Melda and Orville's family
Melda and Orville were the parents of:
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Paul Irvin Morris, who was born on September 24, 1936, died on January 20, 2024. He is buried at the Bobbitt Cemetery in Pulaski County, Kentucky.
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William "Bill" Grant Morris, who was born February 26, 1938, died on January 16, 1989. Bill is buried at the Anderson Hatfield Memorial Cemetery.
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Polly Jane Morris Breeze
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Marlene Melda Morris Adams
Beyond family
In addition to being a homemaker, Melda worked at the Blackberry Elementary School for a number of years. Orville was a coal miner, deputy sheriff in Pike county, Kentucky, and operated a saw mill at various times in his life. In 1991 the Blackberry Park, which Orville had overseen, was renamed the Red Morris Park in his honor.
Melda joined the Samaria Primitive Baptist Church at Ransom, Pike, Kentucky, on November 22, 1964, and was baptized by Teddy Ball. Melda died on May 14, 1969.
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After Melda's death, Orville married Ethel Oliver Hager, born January 20, 1927, on September 19, 1970. Orville died on September 11, 1990. Melda and Orville are buried at the Anderson Hatfield Memorial Cemetery.
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Ethel died on November 1, 2000.
Melda
Melda in school
*Excerpted from genealogical material in Love, Opal, Opal Stafford Hatfield, privately printed, 2008, p. 354-355.
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**Home Comfort was a popular wrought iron wood stove with an oven and recipes that was sold from the 1880's into the 1930's by traveling salesmen. Polly Hatfield cooked on one, so this may be the origin of Melda's Home Comfort raisin pie.