Edward Joseph Morgan

Joe passed away on February 14, 2025, surrounded by his four loving children. He was 95 years old. He will always be remembered for his smiling face and booming welcome to all with, “GLORY”! He will be deeply missed.

Joe was born January 4, 1930, in Nashville, TN, the eighth child of Edward Merrell Morgan and Pauline Wotier Morgan.

He graduated from Cathedral Grade School in 1944. He attended Father Ryan High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and tennis. He was voted most popular by his peers and was an active participant in public service. He was also very active in the school government by serving as a class officer all four years. He received a football scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), which was interrupted by his 4-year service in the Navy. He returned to MTSU and graduated in 1957.

Upon graduation, he briefly became the State Director of the Catholic Youth Organization. He then went on to become the Recreation Director for the City of Murfreesboro. In 1960, he and his family moved back to Nashville, and he became the State Director of Tennessee Association of Realtors. In 1969, he and Bill Derrick started Morgan and Derrick Realty Company.

He surrendered his addiction to alcohol in 1975 and became a committed and active member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In 1978, he accepted the position of the State Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Tennessee. In 1989, he became Co-Director of Cumberland Heights Center. While at Cumberland Heights, he met and married Bunny Blankman, who was establishing the Women’s Program. They worked together in recovery.

At Cumberland Heights, he could see the need for a low-cost treatment center for those lacking funds. He joined with Gabby Bethshears, and they opened Discovery Place Spiritual Retreat in 1997 in Burns, TN. Discovery Place is a male residential program and, to date, has had more than 5,000 participants. Even though he retired in 2008, he remained active in the Discovery Place community and the board.

Joe was an avid golfer and a sports enthusiast. He received his first hole in one in 2009 at Harpeth Hills Golf Course on hole 11. He loved the Masters Tournament and was lucky enough to attend several times. He also loved his church and family. He made an impact on the people he met and will be fondly remembered.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and seven siblings, Mary Elizabeth Nicholson (Murray), Pauline Derrick (Bill), Dorothy Pritchett (Tommy), Helen Holzapfel (Everett), Edward M. “Buddy” Morgan, Jr., Reverend William Ewer Morgan, Jean Gilligan (Ken); 12 nieces and nephews; the mother of his four children, Shirley Heist Morgan; late wife Bunny Morgan and Kathy Morgan.

He is survived by his four children, Diane (Jerry) Garrett, Cissie (Eddie) Hughes, Joe Morgan, Jr. (Regi), Dawn Morgan Bagby; seven grandchildren, Suzanne (Isaiah) Parham, Amanda (Caitlin) Tobin, Meghan (Ray) Beltz, Emily (Jon) McGill, Colleen (Anton) Ho, Kathleen (Chris) Pence, Chip (Mary Margaret) Hughes; and 12 great grandchildren, Haley Beltz, Maya Evans, Bentley Beltz, Cooper Hughes, Kaylee Pence, Adler Tobin, Heddy Hughes, Brody Beltz, Charlie Hughes, Lucas Ho, Hank Hughes, Miles McGill; and endless numbers of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, etc. – a huge family!

Visitation will be Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4–7 p.m. at The Cathedral of the Incarnation, Fleming Hall, West End Avenue, Nashville, TN. The Funeral Mass will be held in the Sanctuary of the Cathedral, Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 a.m., with Father Mark Simpson officiating. Interment at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the mass. Parking is available in the Vanderbilt Garage behind the church.

The family would like to thank Dr. Tracey Doering, the VA Home Care Department, Sycamore Team at Alive Hospice for their care and support.

The family requests, with gratitude, that memorial contributions be made to Discovery Place, 1635 Spencer Mill Road, Burns, TN 37029, givingmatters.civicore.com or by phone at 615-740-8600.

For more information, please contact Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home 615-327-1111. www.marshall-donnelly-combs.com.