The Government of the Republic of Liberia announces with profound regret the death in Her Eighty Seventh year of:

 

MOTHER EVANGELINE BAROMIETTA MORRIS DENNIS;

WIFE OF FORMER LIBERIAN AMBASSADOR H.E. FRANCIS ALPHONSO DENNIS, SR., PATRIOT; EDUCATOR; ADMINISTRATOR; OCTOGENARIAN; DEVOUT CHRISTIAN AND DEDICATED EMINENT SENIOR CITIZEN, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.

 

This sad event occurred on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at eleven thirty-three ante meridian, at Falls Church, at the residence of her daughter, Rev. Dr. Beryl E. Dennis, Virginia, United States of America, following a period of illness. 

 

The late Mother Evangeline Baromietta Morris Dennis, affectionately called “Evan” and “Evangeline”, was born on November 9, 1933 unto the union of Honorable D.W. Baromi Morris and Madam Catherine Ricks Morris at Morris Hill, Clay Ashland, St. Paul Bridge, Montserrado County. Both of her parents and husband, Ambassador Francis Alphonso Dennis, Sr. predeceased her.

 

At a tender age, young Evangeline embraced the Christian faith and became a devout member of the Episcopal Denomination. Thereafter the deceased joined the Baptist denomination following her marriage in 1952 to Ambassador Francis A. Dennis. The late Mother Evangeline Baromietta Morris Dennis commenced her education at the Central High School in Clay-Ashland and later she continued her education at the St. Teresa’s Convent in Monrovia. Still with the determination to complete her high school studies, the deceased enrolled at the College of West Africa (CWA) on Ashman Street, Monrovia.

  

The late Mother Evangeline Baromietta Morris Dennis accompanied her husband, the late Francis Alphonso Dennis, Sr., former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary on many missions including the following: The United States of America with concurrent accreditation to Canada; the Court of St. James (United Kingdom); the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with concurrent accreditation to Poland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark; and Cote d’ lvoire (Ivory Coast) respectively.

 

She was a motherly figure to many Liberians in each of these countries and was a special Guardian to many of the students there, especially some of the students attending boarding school in England, who lived with her family in London, during their school vacations. 

 

After the Civil Crisis in Liberia in 1980, the deceased received accreditation in Early Childhood Education in the United States. As a teacher, she exhibited her motherly touch to the students and was recognized as "Most Loved" teacher at the schools where she worked, first at Children’s International School, then at Happy Homes School, both in Alexandria, Virginia. 

 

In 2011, upon the initiative and leadership of the late Mother Dennis, the Ambassador Francis A. Dennis, Sr. Memorial Library was established at the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, Liberia. It was the goal of the deceased to honor the life and accomplishments of Ambassador Dennis and support initiatives in the areas of Faith, Academics and Diplomacy, key areas where they made significant contributions in their lives. 

 

The deceased developed the passion for modern fashion and subsequently became an icon and a unique fashion designer. Her signature look was the beautiful hats that she wore.  

 

The late Mother Evangeline Baromietta Morris Dennis was joined in holy matrimony with Ambassador Francis Alphonso Dennis, Sr., on December 17, 1952, in Monrovia, Liberia. This union was blessed with four (4) children. 

 

With the passing of the late Mother Evangeline Baromietta Morris Dennis, the family has lost a mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, who was a mentor and subscribed to the principles of morality and integrity; an advisor with an impeccable gift of hospitality; the Liberian Community abroad, has lost an approachable motherly figure; and the Government and peace loving people of Liberia, a dedicated eminent citizen.

 

She leaves to mourn her four (4) children: Francis Alphonso Dennis, Jr, (Christine), Florence Charlotte Dennis-Huskin, (Lawrence), Beryl Evangeline Dennis, and Baromi Albert Dennis (Sharon); serval grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Mietta Morris Padmore; brothers David Morris and Momo Morris; in- laws Gershon and Williette Dennis Adorkor, Catherine Dennis Nylander; her nieces; nephews; cousins; many relatives; family and friends both at home and abroad.

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At a later date, interment will take place at the Dennis Family Cemetery, Careysburg, Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia.

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As a mark of last respect and tribute to the late Mother Evangeline Baromietta Morris Dennis, Wife of Former Liberian Ambassador H.E. Francis Alphonso Dennis, Sr., Patriot; Educator; Administrator; Octogenarian; Devout Christian and Dedicated Eminent Senior Citizen, Republic of Liberia, it is hereby ordered and directed that on the day of internment, the National Ensign of the Republic be flown at half-mast from all public buildings in Montserrado County, from eight o’clock ante meridian to six o’clock post meridian.

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BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT

 

AMB. DEE-MAXWELL SAAH KEMAYAH, SR.

 MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

OCTOBER 26, 2020