John C. Morrison, Sr.

A Celebration of Life for the

L ate

D eacon John C. Morrison, Sr. S

S unrise

unset

December 25, 1924

August 5, 2014

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 Viewing ď Ź 5pm-7pm Home-Going Servicesď Ź 7pm

59th Street Baptist Church 315 S 59th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

John

O b itua ry Cecil Morrison Sr . was born December 25, 1924

to the late Joe Massey and Mae Willie Morrison in Weston, Georgia. He was one of eight children and educated in the New Mt. Lebanon School District.

BY THE time he was 13 years old, he was

working in the fields and had mastered such skills as plowing, hoeing, picking cotton, and shaking peanuts. He also worked in the saw mills. His mother gave him $62.00 with which he took to Parrott, GA and bought a one-way ticket to Miami, Fla. He lived with his cousin, the late Oscar Baldwin and family for 1 ½ years, until he moved to Philadelphia, PA and took a job with Pennsylvania Railroad in 1943.

HE WENT back to Georgia and on June 11, 1944, at 19 years of age, he married Mattie Wise Lewis, a young lady he truly loved. Shortly after being married, John and Mattie moved back to Philadelphia.

They were married for 43 years and from this union, they were blessed with eight beautiful children. Three children preceded them in death and then his wife in 1987.

JOHN SERVED in the United States Army during WWII where he was a cook and was awarded the status of marksman.

After he was honorably discharged for completing his terms of service, he continued working for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Upon retiring early, he started his own business. He took some classes and self-taught himself, along with his sons, how to repair cars. He opened a “Sinclair” gas station and then an auto body and state inspection shop. To save time and money, he used his excellent

barber skills for himself and his boys.

He loved playing checkers and billiards well into his senior years. Another one of his hobbies was riding motorcycles.

He would ride his kids and all of the neighborhood kids too. He taught all of his children, except Wilda, how to drive a vehicle. She was taught by her siblings.

HE JOINED the 59th St. Baptist Church where he later became a Deacon under the leadership of Rev. Leonard L. Smalls.

He formed the Male Chorus, where he served as the Chaplain. He was an active member of the church over 25 years. In 1995, under the leadership of the late Rev. Benjamin F. Powell, he was presented a plague for recognition from the Male Chorus. He truly had a great love for his church family. He would often bring himself to tears through his signing and his voice had touched many souls.

AFTER LIVING in Philadelphia for more than 50 years, John decided to relocate himself and his mother to Opa-Locka, Fla in 1995. He continued in his faith by joining Holy Temple Missionary Baptist Church, where he was Deacon Emeritus under the leadership of Pastor Joseph L. Kelley.

HIS PRAYERS ALWAYS INCLUDED

a request to God for a better world.

On August 5, 2014, (which was also his mother’s birthday) the Heavenly Father called him home.

Obituary continues on next page

O rder

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Organ Prelude.....................................................................Victor Pettijohn Processional.......................................................................Clergy & Family Opening Hymn –”Blessed Assurance”.............................Church Chorus Prayer of Comfort & Musical Selection........Rev. Eric Jadolyn Good The People’s Baptist Church

Scripture Readings Old Testament: Psalm 27:4-6.........................................Bryan Morrison New Testament: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18..........................Bryan Morrison Selection –“What A Friend We Have In Jesus”..................Church Chorus Expressions of Comfort..............................................Family and Friends (2 minutes please)

Acknowledgment of Condolences.....................................Church Clerk & Resolutions Selection – “I’ll Fly Away”..................................................Church Chorus The Obituary....................................................................Reginald Bennett Selection –“When We All Get To Heaven”............................Church Chorus Eulogy..........................................................................Rev. Dr. Daly Barnes 59th St. Baptist Church

Benediction and Final Viewing Recessional – “O Happy Day” HE LEAVES TO CHERISH his memories two sisters, Leila Mae Henry

(Gary of Miami), Mary Mapp (Upshur of Philadelphia), his children, John C. Morrison Jr., Mina Bennett, Charles Morrison (wife Celestine), Wilda Kellam (husband Herman), Lee Morrison, a special God-daughter Carmelita, affectionately called “Combo”, seven grandsons (one deceased), six granddaughters, 17 great-grandchildren, and a host of other family members and friends.

Lovingly submitted, The Family

Pallbearers Andre Bennett Reginald Bennett Terrence Lewis Bryan Morrison John Matt Morrison Morrese Morrison

Flower Bearers Family and Friends

Acknowledgements

W

ith hearts abounding in the love of Christ, the family would like to thank everyone for their support and many acts of kindness during this time.

The Family would like to give a special thank you to the PineCrest Rehabilitation Center and its staff, as well as Mrs. Coretha and Ms. Claudette for caring for John in times of need.

Interment

Thursday, August 14, 2014 — at 10:00am

Eden Cemetery,

1434 Springfield Road, Collingdale, PA 19023

R epast

Thursday, August 14, 2014— following the Interment

59th St. Baptist Church,

315 S 59th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

P rofessional Services Entrusted May Funeral Home,

4075 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104

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