Samuel "Ted" Ross Morris Jr.

May 30, 2017

Mr. Samuel (“Ted”) Ross Morris Jr., 92 of Charlotte, passed away on May 30, 2017 at Presbyterian Hospital’s Harris Hospice Unit. Born November 12, 1924 in Charlotte and raised in the Wilmore neighborhood, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty years, Harriet Ashcraft Morris; son, Theodore Ross Morris and his wife, Heather Richards Morris; and parents, Samuel Ross Morris, Sr. and Mamie Pendleton Morris. He is survived by his daughter, Ann Morris Hogshead and her husband, Jim; grandson, James Robert Allison III and his wife, Julie of Richmond, VA; granddaughter, Jessica Allison Merchant and her husband, Nate of Asheville, NC; granddaughter, Carrie Ann Baxter Dosch of Anchorage, AK; grandson, Tyler Hawk Richards of Charlotte, NC; great grandchildren, Elijah Merchant, Ava Merchant, Iris Merchant, Aidan Allison, Axel Allison, Piper Allison, Julian Dosch; his sister, Clara Morris Hedberg and her husband, Carl of Charlotte, NC; and many adoring nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.   

Ted was a graduate of Charlotte’s Central High School and spent a year attending North Carolina State College before being drafted into the United States Army. As a member of the U.S. Air Corps during the Second World War, he flew sixteen European missions, including one in which his plane was shot down over Austria. Ted spent three weeks behind enemy lines before returning safely to his base in Northern Italy. He went on to fly another eleven combat missions before being honorably discharged in 1945 proving that he belonged in the “greatest generation.”

In June 1949, Ted married Harriet and moved into the home they shared for sixty years. They enjoyed their last thirty-four summers together at Oak Island, NC, and spent over fifteen years preparing meals for the Park Road Baptist Church Child Development Center. Prior to that, Ted worked thirty-eight years for Eastern Airlines, retiring as the most senior employee at the company’s Charlotte hub. Harriet and Ted were lifelong members of Park Road Baptist Church, where Ted served as Deacon Emeritus. Every year, from 1951 to 2010, he played Joseph in the church’s annual Christmas celebration, known as “Judean Hills: A Living Tableau.” Ted was always there. He was a steady presence at work, at church, and for his family. He did not miss a day of school from second grade through high school graduation. Papa was a gentle soul and will be missed greatly.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Park Road Baptist Church with the Reverends Russ and Amy Jacks Dean officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the community center.  A private burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery. For those who wish to make memorial gifts, the family suggests giving to Park Road Baptist Church, 3900 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209.

The family wishes to express a very special debt of gratitude to William R. “Bill” Pearce who was a dedicated friend and caregiver for Mr. Morris over the past two years. The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Harris Hospice Unit at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center and caregivers from Home Instead for their loving care of Mr. Morris.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte. Condolences may be sent online at www.kennethpoeservices.com. 704-641-7606.

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