Mr. Blake Lee Morrison Jr.

Mr. Blake Lee Morrison, Jr., 88, of Greensboro passed away January 9, 2013 at Wesley Long Hospital after a period of declining health. A native of Statesville, NC, he was born on January 2, 1925 to Blake Lee and Lula Valdora Hux Morrison.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 in the chapel of First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Committal services will be held at Westminster Gardens following the visitation.

After graduating from Statesville High School, he enlisted in the Company D, 272nd Infantry, 69th Infantry Division. Serving in the European theatre, he was part of the Allied contingent who met the Russians at the Elbe River. For his faithful service, he was awarded several medals including the Bronze Star Medal. The GI bill enabled him to attend college and he graduated with honors from Catawba College in 1949.

He married his high school sweetheart, Eula Mae Waugh Morrison on March 31,1950. They moved to Greensboro in 1952 where he worked for the Internal Revenue Service for over 30 years, retiring in 1984.

He has been a loyal member of First Baptist Church, Greensboro, where he served many terms as a deacon and many years as a Royal Ambassador leader, a missions organization for young boys. He was also a dedicated Sunday School member and volunteered his time in the church office.

In addition to his parents, he was preceeded in death by his wife of 41 years, Eula Mae Morrison, his second wife, Pauline Rainey Morrison and sisters Louise Morrison Brown and Phyllis Morrison Reep and brother Louis Francis Morrison and infant brother John Osment Morrison and nephew Kenneth Brown.

He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Arlene Cole Morrison; daughter Lisa Morrison Barnett (Randall); grandchildren Valerie Renee Barnett and Cameron Andrew Barnett; sister Laura Morrison Trivette; brothers William Morrison and Robert Morrison and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by stepsons Benjamin Rainey (Fern), Jerry Cole (Mary ) and Dennis Cole (Paula) as well as several step grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401.

Dad was the epitome of a gentleman. He was gracious and kind to all with never a complaint or harsh word towards anyone. He truly lived his Christian faith. He could light up a room with his smile, his laugh and his dry sense of humor. We will look forward to seeing the true delight of welcome in his eyes when we meet again.