Morris Lee Smith Sr.

Morris was born October 10, 1940 in Gates, North Carolina to Earl Hunter Smith and Willie Blanche Knight. He was raised in Norfolk, VA with his two brothers Earl Hunter Smith, Jr and Phillip Randolph Smith, while many of his early formative years of education was provided in Gates, NC Public School System and Norfolk, VA Public School System. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School class of 1959 where he participated in the high school choir as a baritone; played football and ran track. After graduating from BTW High School, he attended St. Augustine’s College (University) located in Raleigh, NC under an athletic scholarship. He continued his athletic interests - track and field events, football and was an active student in student union affairs. He also became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and crossed over in 1960. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education, graduating class of 1963. Morris returned to Norfolk, VA after graduating from St. Augustine’s College (University). He was hired by the Norfolk Public School System as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Ruffner Junior High School where he remained until 1970 and resigned to further his education. Morris received his Masters of Education in Counseling Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971 and later received 30 plus hours towards his Masters Degree from Boston University. He decided to explore career opportunities in Baltimore, MD where he was hired as a high school counselor at Mergenthaler Vocational - Technical High School. He also coached girls’ volleyball and junior track and field for young men. In 1977, Morris was named the most outstanding track and field coach in the Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA). While at Mergenthaler Voc-Tech High School, Morris compiled an outstanding duel meet record of 26 wins and only one loss; two conference championships and one MSA Championship. His professional career as a high school counselor extended to several schools in Baltimore, MD following Mergenthaler Voc-Tech High School, namely Southern High School where he also was an assistant basketball coach, Digital Harbor High School and lastly Northern High School. At several of these schools, Morris coached track and field for young men and women as well at the Baltimore City Community College. Coaching was truly a passion for him and he enjoyed the vigor, confidence and sense of accomplishment exuded by the young people he counseled and coached.

Morris received many accolades and awards as a Senior Class high school counselor and in athletic competitions with the young people he coached as well as achieving recognition for his own athleticism He was inducted to the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame (HRAASHF) November 5, 2011 and, St Augustine’s University Hall of Fame. As a Senior Class high school counselor, there were expressions that Morris referenced to his counselees: “There are three thoughts I would like to share with the Seniors. One, like yourself. Two, believe in yourself. Three become the best person you can become at whatever you wish to pursue”. Many of his young seniors remembered his words of wisdom and proceeded in life to become successful adults. Morris also shared his reason for becoming a high school counselor: “I chose counseling after being a teacher for 6 years because I had a good rapport with young people. I felt the counseling department was not helpful enough. So I discussed counseling with fellow counselors and discovered that counseling was a wonderful way to help young people”.

Morris, a caring and compassionate man, loved to have fun and enjoyed life to its fullest. He loved his family, friends, family reunions, high school and college reunions. He loved music, especially blues, jazz, R&B of the 50s - 70s as well as singing and dancing. He traveled from Baltimore to Virginia Beach many times to relax on the beach by the water. He loved fishing and returning to Norfolk, VA to visit his family, people he knew and grew up with and, truly enjoyed traveling from the Caribbean to Europe and Mexico. He had the opportunity to fulfill many of his interests and he can rest in peace knowing that his “checklist” was accomplished.

Morris is survived by his wife Bettye; son Ian, son Morris Smith, Jr (mother Sandra Reeves Fenner), daughter Kim; daughters-in-law Roxanne and Ann; two sisters-in-law June and Cheryl; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father Earl Hunter Smith, Sr. (1963), brother Earl Hunter Smith, Jr. (2006), brother Phillip Randolph Smith (2008), mother Willie Blanche Knight Smith Jones (2010) and Stepfather, Milton Jones (2021).

A visitation will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 1:00 PM with an interment within Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com for the Smith family.