Richard Edward Morris Sr., faithful church member
Richard Edward Morris Sr., son of the late Harry Morris Sr. and Annie Quillen (Morris), was born Sunday, Aug. 7, 1932, in Berlin, Md. He departed this life to be with the Lord Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Columbia, Md.
Richard was educated in the Worcester County, Md. public school system. He held many jobs to support his family, including working on the Hall Farm and Scott Wimbrow. His most significant work experience was at Abbott Laboratories (later CEVA Laboratories) for over 30 years.
There were two significant events that shaped Richard’s entire life. The first event was on Monday, July 7, 1952. On that date, he married the great love of his life, Connie (Constance) Wayfield Rogers. Their marriage endured for 66 years, producing six children, a legacy of love, fidelity, and perseverance. The two were inseparable and it was often said, “You don’t see Richard without Connie” and “Richard loves himself some Connie.”
Richard was an excellent husband, great father and fantastic grandfather. He (with Connie) raised six children, as well as two grandchildren, Angel Valdez and Lee Morris.
The second event was on Sunday, Dec. 21, 1975. On that date, Richard re-committed himself to God and began boldly witnessing for Jesus Christ until his last breath. Richard joined Curtis United Methodist Church (Curtis Church) on Sunday, March 19, 1961, and was baptized in September 1961. Richard was a faithful and diligent member who held numerous leadership positions, including lay speaker. He loved Curtis Church, its members, Men’s Ministry as well as performing manual tasks such as janitorial and landscaping.
Richard’s life was defined by service and commitment. He was fully dedicated to his church, his wife, his family, his job, and his community.
Richard loved his Morris family and was known to them as “Herbie” or “Uncle Herbie.” He lived his entire life on the Maryland Eastern Shore, along with Connie, until September 2014. Their youngest son, Vance and his wife Bernadette, moved them to Ellicott City, Md., to better care for his mother with her declining health. Connie passed away Oct. 21, 2018, leaving Richard heartbroken. While in Ellicott City, Richard and Connie attended Celebration Church of God in Columbia, Md.
Richard was preceded in his life by his wife, Connie; his siblings, Harry Morris Jr., Dale Morris and Betty Satchell, Kathleen Smith, and Peggy Morris, as well as his and Connie’s four children, Harold, Steve, Gary, and Torey. He leaves behind two children, Richard Jr. and Vance (Bernadette); two grandchildren, Angel Valdez (Anthony) and Lee Morris; daughter-in-law Zeleana Morris (wife of Steve); 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Arnita Harris, Nathaniel Morris (Juanita), Danny Morris (Carolyn), Vanessa Purnell (Greg); and niece Glendola Bowen (Tony); in-laws, Thomas Smith (Kathleen), Jean Morris (Dale) and Eunice Morris (Harry Jr.).
Charlene Showell, Joyce Johnson, and Viola Sample also provided tremendous amounts of love and support to Richard and Connie during their senior years on the Eastern Shore.
Special acknowledgement to Curtis Church’s Men’s Ministry, Michael Postley, Bruce Showell and Bruce Showell, Fred Jarmon, Thomas Johnson, George Mumford, James Sample, William Walters, Harvey Finney, Charles Walters, Ronald Johnson, James Mumford, and Charles Laws.
Sisters-in-law Bernadette (Vance) and Zeleana (Steve), grandchildren Adam (Zeleana) and his wife Breanna, Connor (Vance) and Selena aka Candy (Harold) provided much love and support to Richard during his final years without his precious Connie.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday, Dec. 19, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro. The viewing will be held at 10 a.m. and the funeral at 12 p.m. Interment will follow at Zoar Golden Acres Cemetery in Bishopville, Md.
Send electronic condolences via www.watsonfh.com.
