Dolores Vernell Morgan, was born on June 30, 1929 in Youngstown, Ohio. She was the youngest daughter born to the union of Thomas Harold Bennett and Raye Zenobia Bennett.

Vernell was an academic standout and was selected for admittance into Bennett College at the young age of sixteen. Vernell majored in music and excelled in her selected major. Following the conferment of her Bachelor’s Degree, she went on to pursue her Master’s degree at Columbia University. While raising two young children, Vernell earned her Administrative Credential in Education from San Francisco State University. Vernell was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she was initiated in 1952. 

In 1966 Vernell married the love of her life, Daniel Lee Morgan. This union was blessed with two daughters, Chantée Vernell and Voviette Dionne. 

In 1967, Vernell shared in the powerful vision of Dr. Dan and partnered to build, what became, The Guidance Church of Religious Science. Vernell was the support system and life line that both allowed and freed Dr. Dan to listen to what began as a little small voice and then became thunderous, as he stepped into his truth which translated to a ministry that lived for over forty years. In spite of having her own profound career as an educator, she poured into his ministry and shared in the dream by ultimately serving as a founding board member of the Guidance Church of Religious Science, the original Minister of Music, member and treasurer of the Guidance Women’s Group and a proud member and organist of the Guidance Church Choir. Vernell was devoted to the Guidance Church of Religious Science and was proud to be the First Lady of the church that she and her husband, Dr. Daniel Lee Morgan, co-created. 

For over forty years, Vernell was an esteemed elementary and middle school teacher in the Compton Unified School District. Vernell taught at El Segundo Elementary School, later known as Robert McNair Elementary School and spent the last twenty-five years of her professional career at Willowbrook Middle School serving in the capacity of teacher and principal. Vernell received many accolades and awards, among them Compton Unified Teacher of the Year. Vernell was extremely proud of her tenure with the Compton Unified School District and during her time, she provided educational support and guidance to thousands of students. Vernell was often met by previous students and parents who thanked her for her no nonsense approach to education and her desire to bring the very best she had to offer to each and every student that she had the privilege to work with. 

Vernell was preceded in death by a host of loved ones: husband, Dr. Daniel Lee Morgan; father, Thomas Bennett; mother, Raye Z. Bennett; brother, Thomas Harold Bennett, Jr.; nephew, Garey Bennett; and niece, Leslie Raye Bennett.

Vernell leaves a legacy of love, in the form of her daughters, Chantée and Voviette; son-in-law, Stephen Hall; granddaughters: Scyan, Scierra, and Scheradyn; and niece: Tuana Vinson and a host of great nieces and a great nephew.