Janice Marie Morris
January 5, 1946 - September 23, 2025
Janice Marie Morris, 79, long time resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025, surrounded by her family. Viewing will be held at Trout Funeral Home on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, September 29, 2025, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Winfield, KS.. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Janice was born on January 5, 1946 in Winfield, Kansas to Charles and Ima (Hall) Craig. She was raised on a farm northwest of Winfield. Growing up, she loved animals and was involved in 4-H, raising and showing Hereford calves. She received her education in Winfield, graduating from Winfield High School in 1964. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary and receptionist for the Snyder Clinic medical office in Winfield.
Janice was united in marriage to Phillip Thaine Morris on July 17, 1965 in Winfield, Kansas. The couple made their first home in Winfield and later moved to Manhattan, Kansas so that her husband could earn a degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University. Janice worked for the Kansas State University Student Health Center as a secretary and receptionist in order to support her husband while he was a student. After her husband graduated and began working at Continental Oil Company, the couple moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1968. The same week they moved to Ponca City, Janice gave birth to their first son Chad. From then on, she became a full time mother and homemaker. A second son, Shawn, followed in 1971. While raising two young children, she and her husband built a rustic home in the country overlooking the Arkansas River where they lived for fifty years. One of her favorite activities was lounging in the backyard with her family and pets. She also loved watching wild birds.
Janice devoted the rest of her life to her family and her faith in Jesus Christ. She was involved in the lives of her family, friends, and community. She was a homeroom mother, Cub Scout den mother, PTA member and president, and a church secretary and teacher. She enjoyed cooking meals for her family and taking meals to people in need. She and her husband supported many ministries, including Feed the Children, The Mission in Ponca City, and New Life Trails Ministry in Ponca City.
Janice also loved to travel and experience new things. She and her husband took their family on numerous trips around the country. Once her children left home and her husband retired, Janice and Phillip made extensive trips all over the continental United States and parts of Canada. One of their favorite places was Laguna Beach, California where they wintered for 12 years. During their frequent stays, they made friends with people from all over the country.
Janice loved the sunsets on the beach and she even got to swim with dolphins. Most summers, they celebrated their wedding anniversary in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Other frequent destinations included Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In her later years, Janice enjoyed a close circle of friends who got together every week for fellowship. In 2011, she was diagnosed with cancer. With prayer and the work of physicians, caregivers, family, and friends, she survived. A few years later, she suffered a series of strokes which resulted in dementia. Her husband took care of her at home for the first two years of her illness. After the illness worsened, she spent her remaining years at Via Christi Village nursing home in Ponca City. Even in the worst of times, her faith gave her strength.
The family would like to thank Ascension Living Via Christi Village of Ponca City and Agape Care Group of Ponca City for the good care that they provided to her.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents and her son Chad. She is survived by her husband Phillip and son Shawn, both of Ponca City, and numerous other relatives in southern Kansas and northern Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Mission of Ponca City, or New Life Trails Ministry of Ponca City. Contributions can be made via Trout Funeral Home & Crematory of Ponca City.
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