Despite never contacting her birth parents, Betty Morrell, always sensed her unknown family. In 1933, Lena Pierce gave birth to her first child, Eva. Sadly Lena was only 14 at the time and because of her age she was forced to give away her 6-month daughter. Eva grew up in Long Island, New York in the care of another family far off from her unknown birth mother.

Her name was eventually changed to Betty and she knew nothing of her past. Pierce grew older as well and eventually married twice, having 7 children as well. Betty grew up as an only child, and because of this she wished for siblings to share with. “I had imaginary sisters, and I had imaginary brothers…And I had them all named, and I would talk to them at night.” said Morrell.

Although Lena had 7 children to watch over, she still worried continuously about the daughter she had given up. “There was a lot of times I worried about her and wondered where she was,” said Lena Pierce. When Betty was in her 20’s, her adoptive parents passed away. Because of this, her aunt finally revealed the information of her adoption, including her birth name, location, and more.

She was set on finding her mother and after 5 decades of searching, she finally accomplished her goal. “I’m not alone anymore…I have my mother, and I have sisters and brothers. It’s surreal but so wonderful to be together again after all this time.” said Morrell.