Cleta M. Morrison, age 78, passed away on November 8, 2007, from complications of Multiple Sclerosis MS. Cleta was the 4th child born to Edward Burt Manning and Artimica Dibbler Manning, on October 29, 1929, in Chandler, Oklahoma.

She grew up on a small farm outside of Chandler along with her brothers and sisters, Hazel Ashcraft, Edward Red Manning, Leaun Clifford Bud Manning, Vernon Hubert Manning and Dorothy Larine Tyler. She learned to work hard and play hard on the farm, making sorghum, riding horses, eating watermelon in the fields, and staying one step ahead of her playful brothers. Cleta attended Chandler High School and became active in sports, playing basketball, softball, as well as participating in track. She was never defeated in track, winning all first place medals as well as setting many local and state records. Cleta won the best senior girl athlete award and went on to set a track record for the State in the 100 yard dash. Her high school coach wanted Cleta to train for the Olympics. Having never heard of what the Olympics were, Cleta chose marriage, as most girls did in that era.

She married Billy Reed McDaniel in 1947. They had a son David Alan McDaniel, before moving to Richland, Washington in 1951, where Bill came out to work on the Hanford plant. Brenda Sue McDaniel Peach was born a few years later. Cleta became active in her church as Missionary President, and she taught Sunday school in the 50's while continuing raising her children. She continued her education at CBC and began working for GE and later at Battelle during the 60's. In her social life she was involved in Beta Sigma Phi, where she was a Queen candidate and she enjoyed modeling for Beta Sigma Phi in style shows, representing Gentries, Piro's, and Annie Z's.

In 1969 Cleta was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which eventually forced her to retire from the Hanford site. She married Dewey P. White in 1970 and together they started a new life, where they enjoyed fishing, music, and card playing. With Dewey's passing about 10 years later Cleta's life was about to move forward in an inspiring manner. Challenged with disabilities from her MS and confined to a wheelchair, she mastered driving, using hand controls in her specially built ActiveVan, and living on her own while confined to her wheelchair.

She was active at Central United Protestant Church CUP, acting as a greeter and calling shut-in's. She received an inspirational award for her endeavors. She was a charter member of ''meet me at the Golden Croissant for lunch'', her favorite sandwich restaurant located in Uptown Richland. She became a handicap activist and petitioned the Uptown Shopping Center into putting in handicap curb cuts for wheel chairs. Cleta was elected as Treasure for the Garden Villa Condo's where she lived and she was the Program Chairman for the Columbia Basin Ostomy Association for 5 years.

Active in the CUP's Singles group, Cleta met Myrle Morrison. They were married in April 14, 1989 and enjoyed life as they cared for each other for almost 10 years until his death in 1998. After Myrle's death, Sharon Pitman came into Cleta's life as her caregiver, companion, and best friend, for the past nine plus years. Together they shopped, enjoyed movies, and traveled to Oklahoma twice, cruised to Alaska, made numerous visits to Seattle, where Cleta's grandchildren Brett, and Brian Peach live. She visited family and friends in Oregon as well. Her last visit was this month for a family get together at Seaside Oregon.

Although confined to her wheelchair, without much use of her arms, and afflicted with many other limitations from MS, Cleta never let life get her down nor complained about what life had given her. She enjoyed everyday, and still faced life with faith. Cleta was inspirational to all, never believing that she was limited or handicapped.

A memorial service and celebration of Cleta's life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Central United Protestant Church, 1124 Stevens Drive, Richland, WA, with a reception to follow. The family would ask that in lieu of flowers, please make remembrances to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 192 Nickerson, Suite 100, Seattle, WA. 98109.