There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Al Morris on Saturday, January 28th, 2023.  Location:  First Baptist Church, Farmville.  Time: 1:00pm with visitation to follow. 

The Legacy and Life of an Officer and a Gentleman

Alva Julius Morris was born October 8, 1935 in Geneva, Alabama and departed this life at the age of 87 on Monday, December 12, 2022, in Farmville, North Carolina.   Al is survived by:  his loving wife, Laura Anne Ratliff Morris; daughter Julia (Julie) Laura Anne Morris Howell and husband, Scott William Howell; daughter Cynthia (Cindi) Mary Hazel Morris; granddaughter Melissa Laura Howell and husband Garrett Cross; grandson Ryan Scott Howell and wife Sagel Trachier; brother Willie Lamar Morris and wife Gayle Griggs Morris;  and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.  Those Al leaves behind will cherish and honor his memory and live life at its fullest because of his example.

A Lifetime of Service to the Lord   

Al accepted Christ as his savior at a young age and was baptized.   At the time he wed his bride, Laura, in 1959, he had already been involved in service for the Lord as a Sunday School teacher for 3rd graders.  He taught Sunday school throughout his married life, gradually increasing the age of his Sunday School students as his two girls grew up, including the college-age Sunday school classes when they were attending college.   Al continued to teach adult Sunday School classes after his children were grown and moved away.  He was one of the teachers of the combined men and women’s Sunday school class at FBC Farmville through the age of 83.  He took this role very seriously throughout his life, studying and preparing diligently for each lesson.  He always said he learned more preparing for his Sunday School lessons than he had learned about God and the Bible growing up.

With each move from place to place, which was frequent in his Army career, Al and Laura always sought out a church to join where they could actively serve their Lord.  In addition to always volunteering to teach Sunday School, Al’s service also included teaching training union, participation in church choirs, serving as a deacon, member of the church Board of Trustees, actively participating in church budget meetings, preparing and serving Wednesday night suppers.

Education

Al attended the University of Alabama and participated in the ROTC program, graduating with a degree in accounting.  Al continued to seek opportunities for higher learning during his Army Career.   Courses completed while in the Army included:  Quartermaster Officer Course (1957); Parachute Packing and Maintenance School (1959); Command and General Staff School (1969);  Advanced Officers Course (1962); Masters Program in Operations Research – Tulane University (1967);  Operations Research/Systems Analysis Executive Course (1970).

Military Service – US Army

Al entered the US Army on September 29, 1957.  His Honorable Separation /Army retirement date was April 30, 1981.   His length of service to this country:  23 years, 7 months, 2 days.   Al began his military career in college as an ROTC cadet, entering active duty at graduation with the rank of Second Lieutenant.  He made his way up through the ranks to First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, then “full bird” Colonel.  

Colonel Morris was committed to his service to this county and was a decorated soldier.  Military Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded:    National Defense Service Medal;    Senior Parachutist Badge; Vietnam Service Medal; Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster); Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster): Army Commendation Medal Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal 1st Class;  Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm;  Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal;  Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal 1st Class; Bronze Star Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster);  Legion of Merit

Civilian Service after Military Retirement

March 1981 – 1988:   Administrator, Wilson Clinic, a multi-specialty medical clinic with 26 physicians in Wilson, North Carolina.

1988 – 2005:  Administrator, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina.  In this role he was instrumental in building the School of Medicine Department of Surgery into one of the most innovative and progressive schools of surgical medicine in eastern North Carolina.

2005 – 2015:  East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine.  Al was asked to help start this dental school.  As the initial Chief Financial Officer, Al, along with the Chief Dental Officer and the Chief Executive Officer, were the only three employees of the dental school at its inception, before a physical building existed.  As such, he was one of the pioneers for what is now a thriving and respected School of Dentistry.  He continued to serve the dental school in the capacity of Clinical Administrator, Business and Financial Affairs until his civilian sector retirement in 2015.

Memberships and Services in and around Farmville

American Legion

Farmville Arts Council

First Baptist Church, Farmville

May Museum:  Supporter and Member of the Council

Part of a group of Veterans who created the Veterans Memorial in Farmville

Remembering Al Morris for the great man he was, and celebrating a life well lived.

Go rest high, Colonel Morris !!

Matt. 25:21

May we so live to enjoy that day when the Lord may say to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

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Psalm 23 (KJV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.   5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.    6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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