Mildred Sharpe Morse

Mildred “Milli” Morse, 83, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away peacefully at her home on January 22, 2026. Born in Dermott, Arkansas, Mildred was raised in Columbus, Ohio, where she attended South High School during the early years of school integration—an experience that profoundly shaped her lifelong commitment to equity and justice. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Following two years of study, she transferred to AM&N College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she completed her undergraduate education and earned her degree. Mildred went on to attend Howard University School of Law, where she met her husband, Dr. Oliver “Red” Morse. After earning her law degree, she embarked on a distinguished career in public service. She served in the Office of Civil Rights during the Carter Administration and later held positions at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). She later became the Human Resources Director for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a role she held for ten years, before founding Morse Enterprises, Incorporated, where she served as President. Through Morse Enterprises, Mildred emerged as a national leader in smoking cessation advocacy, collaborating with organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Black Media Coalition, and AFRI Care. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Step Afrika! Mildred remained active in business for nearly twenty years before retiring. Throughout her life, Mildred was deeply committed to service and leadership. She was a charter member of the Capital City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her legacy reflects a life devoted to justice, public health, the arts, education, and community uplift. Mildred was an active member of Colesville Baptist Church for more than thirty-five years and a loving second mother to many of Stacey and Kasey’s childhood and adult friends. She will be remembered for her intellect, integrity, candor, generosity, and unwavering devotion to lifelong friendship and service. She is survived by her twin daughters, Stacey and Kasey (Jon Needham); her foster daughter, Shawnee (Letsa); her granddaughters, Reba and Kate; her nieces, Reina (James Sims, II and son James Sims, III), Jayma (Daniel Natal and their children Liam, Isabella, Immanuel), and Iman Laversuch, PhD; close relatives and cherished friends Norma Jean Houston, Latanya Henry, and Nicole Chappell; her devoted caregivers Coumba Gueye and Zamzam Osman ; and a host of other friends, including the surviving members of “The Group,” and her loving grand dog, Baxter. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-four years, Oliver “Red” Morse; her parents, Helen and Johnny Sharpe, Sr.; her sister, Venitia Lamour; and her brother, John Sharpe, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Morse Scholarship Fund Howard University School of Law 2900 Van Ness Street NW Washington, DC 20008

A visitation will be held on February 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Peoples Community Baptist Church, located at 31 Norwood Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905, United States.

The funeral service will follow on the same day, February 10, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the same location.