Elton Raleigh Morris

Elton Raleigh "Sutt" Morris, 102, of Gliden Road, Hobbsville, NC, died Monday, February 18, 2013 in his home. Mr. Morris was born January 30, 1911 in Chowan County and was the son of the late George and Georgia Morris. Educated in a two room schoolhouse, he only completed the 5th grade and then went to work on the family farm. Later he worked with Tidewater Construction in the building of bridges and was involved in the construction of the first Chowan River Bridge. During the 1930's, Mr. Morris was self-employed in the trucking business hauling vegetables up and down the East coast, many times driving to Florida for only a dollar a day. In 1948 he and Henry Hinton opened Morris and Hinton Service Station and later expanded in the feed and grain business, building the first grain elevator in Chowan County. He retired at age 85, unsure of what he would do with his time, but finding pleasure in fishing, gardening, flowers, Carolina basketball, and Atlanta Braves baseball. An Army veteran of World War II, he served for three years, and during this time was baptized in the Pacific Ocean. The oldest member of Hobbsville Baptist Church, he had served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and as a Trustee. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters Mildred and Bessie, brothers John, Otis, Ephraim, and Melvin; half-sisters Georgia, Hattie, Lettie, and Madge, half-brothers, Theodore, Orie, and Mate; by Thelma, his Yorkshire Terrier that brought him years of happiness, and by the love of his life, Beatrice Rountree Morris, his wife of 59 years. He and Beatrice had met at the Chowan River in the early 1930's. Beatrice told her girlfriend that he was the best looking man she had ever seen and the girlfriend told Sutt what Beatrice had said. He asked her out three times before she would accept, saying that she didn't want him to think she was eager. They dated for nine years before marrying on December 20, 1940 in Suffolk, VA. Left to cherish the memory of this remarkable man are his daughter, Wanda Morris; his "God" granddaughter, Zoe Newingham; his singing Yorkie and four-legged companion of the last years of his life, Bailey; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Funeral services will be held Friday at 3:00 p.m. in Hobbsville Baptist Church by the Rev. Tim Dannelly. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, and all other times at the residence. A special appreciation is expressed to Dr. Brent Chafin, and Dr. Thomas DeMartino and his nurse, LaWanda Hollowell, for their compassionate care over the years. Other special people in his life were Billy Hollowell, who came day or night when called to help; Ginger Hitchings, God's angel of mercy sent to offer care; Jackie Wiley, the son he never had and who was a constant helping hand; Wendy Felton, his Tuesday lunch date and conversation partner; Treena Riddick, his special niece who remembered him on every occasion; and Dot Rollack, Tracy Chappell, Gina Powell, Joyce Lassiter, and Joan Goodman, caregivers of compassion and kindness. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.