Bartow County Teacher Loses Battle With Cancer

CARTERSVILLE, GA — The Bartow County School System is mourning the loss of one of its educators who lost her battle with cancer. Kathy Lynn Whybark Morris died Saturday, June 30, according to her obituary.

Morris, 56, was a second-grade teacher at Hamilton Crossing Elementary School. Bartow County Schools said on its Facebook page that Morris was "in the fight of her life," and her colleagues wore shirts throughout the month of May to show their support. Those shirts read "strong, beautiful, courageous, brave, faith, hope, love, hero, determined; fight for Kathy."

"These shirts are a true testament to the life Mrs. Morris led and the group of friends who were by her side," the school system said on its Facebook page, adding backpacks will be filled with school supplies in her honor to be delivered to Hamilton Crossing Elementary students.

According to her obituary, Morris, a native of Illinois, knew she wanted to be a teacher when she embarked on her first day of kindergarten. Morris, who "never wavered from that decision," obtained her bachelor's degree in education from Indiana State University, master's degree in education from Jacksonville State University and her specialist degree in education.

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Morris is preceded in death by her husband, Terry Morris. She is survived by her two sons, Jonathan (Ashley) Morris of Gainesville and Joseph Morris of Cartersville; granddaughter, Elizabeth Morris; mother, Arlene Whybark of Cartersville; father, Larry (Patricia) Whybark of Rome; brother, Richard (Stephanie) Whybark; niece, Samantha Whybark; nephew, Holden Whybark of Union Grove, WI; step-brother, Bryant (Denise) Haney and his children, Alehea, Mason and B.J. Haney of Rome; aunts, Barbara Whybark of Carmi, IL, Frances (H.C.) Fields of Mt. Vernon, IL; aunt, Carol Koch; and several cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at Owen Funeral Home and interment will follow at Cassville Cemetery. The family will accept visitors from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 6 at Owen Funeral Home, which has charge of the arrangements.

Image via Bartow County School System