Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Morris

Born in December 1949, in Kingsport, TN, she was the daughter of the late Meeks Bringle Vaughan, Sr. and Mary Jane Anderson Vaughan. Following graduation from Dobyns-Bennett High School, Betsy attended Furman University in Greenville, SC, earning her degree (cum laude) in Elementary Education. She taught school for the Greenville County School District for two years before joining the U.S. Department of Defense Overseas Teacher Program in 1974, assigned to the U.S. Dependent Schools-Europe, with a duty station in Karlsruhe, Germany.

As a fourth-grade teacher at the Karlsruhe American Elementary School, Betsy met her future husband, U.S. Army LT Scott Morris, who was also assigned to one of the Army units in Karlsruhe. They were married in July 1975 and loved each other dearly. As an Army wife, Betsy travelled the world as Scott’s career advanced over the next twenty-five years. They lived in multiple states and had assignments in Australia as well as another tour in Germany. Along the way they had four sons who were their pride and joy.

Betsy was a devoted spouse and mother who loved her family, particularly her nine grandchildren and her sister and brother. She was a lifelong Presbyterian, an avid tennis player, a fitness enthusiast, and taught many of her friends how to play her favorite tile game, Mahjong.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Colonel (Retired) Philip Scott Morris, four sons:, Brenton V. Morris (& wife Julie) of Kernersville, NC, Andrew E. Morris of Fairbanks, AK, Reese S. Morris of Warrenton, VA, and Joshua S. Morris (& wife Garrett) of Morgan Hill, CA, nine beloved grandchildren, Trenton, Annabelle, Jenna, Kate, Jameson, Eva, Vaughan, Ellery, and Hyatt, and her loving sister Kristen Davis Rhyne and brother Meeks B. Vaughan, Jr.

A service to celebrate Betsy’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2nd in the chapel of the McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Private interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, at a future date.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider donating to the Movement & Memory Center, Charlotte (www.mmclt.org) or charities supporting Parkinson’s Disease research.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.