Zola Sue Morris

Zola was born on June 9, 1970 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Jacquelyne and Billy Wayne Gates.  She left this physical world on July 1, 2022 entering the gates of Heaven to meet her beloved Father.  Zola graduated from Kirksville High School in 1988.  In 1995, she married Jim Morris and had the love of her life in 1999, her beloved son, Ethan.  After her marriage ended, Zola decided to pursue Nursing as a career.  She graduated with her BSN from Cox School of Nursing in 2015 and immediately started to work on her BSN to MSN at SBU which she obtained in 2017.  Zola was finishing her last paper to receive her Doctorate in Nursing from Grand Canyon University.  She had only the references to update and worked diligently on this.  She hoped to further her education after receiving her DPN.  Zola worked at Mercy Hospital Springfield as an Oncology nurse, but she also floated to different floors to help care for patients.  She taught nursing at Cox College of Nursing.  Her last position was at Burrell Transitions Unit where she assessed behavioral health patients.  It was after a night shift at Burrell a little over a year ago, that she had a serious car accident that ended (at least temporarily) a very promising career in healthcare. She also worked as a travel nurse in Florida and Missouri.  Zola was very passionate about ensuring that her patients received the best quality and most compassionate care.

Zola and Ethan loved anything Disney!  Their favorite vacation spot was Disney World where they went at least twice a year.  She was a loving mom who only wanted her son to be happy. Zola and Ethan loved eating around Walt Disney World. That was always their favorite bonding time.

This is Ethan and I want to thank my wonderful mom for all the memories that I will never forget. I only hope to give my future children the love and support my mom gave me.  Love you to the moon and back, Mom!

Zola leaves behind her son, Ethan Morris; her mother, Jackie Gates; brother, Jack Gates and wife, Lori; Aunt Sissy and Uncle Nathan Paulos and cousin, Chrystal Gates, Niece and nephew Bethany and Daniel. She was preceded in death by her father, Billy Gates and her maternal grandparents, Jack and Mary Lawson. She also leaves behind many friends and nursing colleagues.  

A Funeral will be held for Zola at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark. Friends and relatives are invited to a Visitation with the family one hour prior to the service, from 9:00-10:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Burial will be held following services in Weaver Cemetery in Ozark, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.