John Wilbur Morris

John Wilbur Morris, Jr., 95, of Piedmont Street Orange died November 19, 2024 in Fredericksburg.  Born March 23, 1929 in Philadelphia , PA, he was the son of the late John Wilbur Morris, Sr and Irene Coleman Morris. Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley H. Morris, his sisters, Virginia M. Kube, Dorothy M. Anderson and Marian Reese Morris, and brothers  Warren L. Morris and Robert E. Morris.

Wilbur was a member of the Orange Baptist Church where he faithfully attended. He was an Army veteran having served in Alaska during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Orange American Legion Post 156.  Wilbur retired from Comdial in Charlottesville.  He was an lifelong avid turkey hunter and enjoyed hunting with his brother, Jimmy, this season.  He valued a good day’s work and was happy mowing lawns, tending the garden he shared with the Shumakes, painting, fixing things, helping Mark with rental projects and following Orioles baseball.  He was the official Morris family storyteller and could keep us entertained for hours recalling family events with detail and wit.  Wilbur was quite the cook and for many years prepared a weekly meal called “Supper Club” for nine of his immediate family members. 

Survivors include his daughter Carolyn Morris Herndon and husband Mark of Orange; a granddaughter Sarah Herndon Sydnor and husband Raphael of Woodberry Forest; three great-grandchildren Sophia, Henry and Everette Sydnor; a sister Della M. Hicks of Mechanicsville; and a brother Truman “Jimmy” F. Morris and wife Nancy of Orange; and a large extended loving family.

A funeral service conducted by Rev. Alan Miller and Rev. Nancy Stanton McDaniel will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Orange Baptist Church with interment to be held at the Rhoadesville Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Monday, November 25, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Orange Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange Baptist Church, P.O. Box 167, Orange, VA  22960, or Rhoadesville Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 26042 Lafayette Drive, Rhoadesville, VA  22542

Preddy Funeral Home of Orange is assisting the family.