Frances Agnita was the daughter of Joseph B. and Emma D. Johnson Morris. She was born June 5, 1923, in Knottsville, Ky., the third of 13 children — seven brothers and five sisters. Agnita was baptized when she was five days old at Saint William Church and confirmed there on April 28, 1936, at the age of 13.
Having made up her mind to be a religious so she, “Could be closer to God and serve Him more,” she entered the Mount Saint Joseph formation on February 2, 1942. Agnita received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Joseph Emma on August 14, 1943.
Sister Joseph Emma’s ministry was to work as housekeeper and in Food Services. For 45 years her ministry of caring for the household and preparing food took her to Fairfield, Ky., Wilhelmina, Mo., Saint Columba, Louisville, Waterflow, N.M., Mount Saint Joseph Motherhouse (the diary 1956-1966), Saint Margaret Mary and Saint Angela in Louisville (1971-1986). She earned a certificate in dietary administration from Fontbonne College in the spring of 1978. She returned to the Motherhouse in 1986 as Director of Food Services in the Diet Kitchen.
Sister Joseph Emma was diagnosed with cancer in April 1989. This began a five-year struggle ending with death December 31, 1994. The wake service was held the evening of January 1, 1995 followed by the funeral Mass on January 2. Sister Joseph Emma’s remains rest in the convent cemetery.