Joan L. Perry Morris

Joan L. Perry Morris, 81, died Thursday evening at the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. She had suffered for several years from heart and related health problems. For more than thirty years, she served as curator of the Florida Photographic Archives which collected and preserved more than one million images of Florida history. She was photo editor of nine books including “Favored Land, A pictorial History of Tallahassee and Leon County” and “Seminole History: A Pictorial History of The Florida State University.” Joan was a native of Massachusetts and moved as a teenager with her family to St. Petersburg in 1948. She subsequently earned a bachelor degree, as well as a master degree from Florida State University. While a graduate student, she was assigned to help Allen Morris catalog the photographic collection he had established at FSU. She married the widowed Morris, a former newspaper columnist who subsequently became Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. Joan supervised the Photographic Archives from 1970 until her retirement in 2003 and then did volunteer work at the Archives for a number of years preparing collections for inclusion in the Florida Memory Project – a digital outreach program providing online access to select items from the Archives and State Library. She was dedicated to collecting and making available to the public Florida historical photographs. One state historian dubbed her, “St. Joan of the Archives.” In addition to the Photographic Archives, Joan worked with Allen in publishing the biennial editions of “The Florida Handbook” until his health failed in 1995. (Allen Morris passed away in 2002.) She then continued as editor of the book until 2011. Joan leaves a step-daughter, Martha Marsh (and husband, Kermit) of Dawson Georgia and a step-son, David (and wife, Connie) of Tallahassee. There are four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Joan also leaves a brother, Robert Perry, who lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Madeleine. She also leaves two nieces and one nephew in the St. Petersburg area. She was preceded in death by her brother, David Perry, and parents, Charles H. and Leona Waldorf Perry. A celebration of Joan Morris’ life is planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the State Library & Archives, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Donations may also be made to The Big Bend Hospice or The Second Harvest of the Big Bend. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com

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Joan L. Perry Morris

March 11, 1935 - April 21, 2016