Nell Hartzog Morse

She graduated from Savannah Consolidated High School in Poplarville, Mississippi, and received her B.S. degree from Mississippi State College for Women in 1945. After college, she taught Home Economics in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Nell married Joshua Marion Morse, III in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. His education had been interrupted by his service during the war and they returned to the University of Mississippi, his alma mater, for him to attend law school. In 1949, they moved to their hometown of Poplarville, Mississippi, for him to enter law practice with his father.

In 1962, they returned to the University of Mississippi where Josh was a professor and later Dean of the Law School. In 1969, they moved to Tallahassee where Josh also served as Professor and Dean of the Florida State University College of Law.

They made friends in many places when they traveled to the University of Texas, the University of Alabama, the University of North Carolina, and Oxford University in England where Josh was a visiting professor. They also spent time in Tampa where Josh was associated with a Tampa law firm. In addition, they traveled extensively throughout this country and in Europe.

Nell was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she was active in the Altar Guild and in Circle I. She was on the board of the Tallahassee Symphony, and a Docent and Chair of the Tours at the Governors' Mansion during the Graham administration. She was also active in the Law Wives organization at the Law School and the University Women's Club and was a member of Phi Beta Pi Social Sorority. Nell enjoyed and became a State Life member of the Oleander Garden Club. She also enjoyed several bridge groups and was a member of the Tallahassee Duplicate Bridge Club.

The main focus of Nell's life was her home on Plantation Road where the neighbors were special friends. For 43 years, she and Josh were always there at home for their three children as well as at their home on Alligator Point. She lived at Westminster Oaks after 2014.

She is survived by her son, Stanford Morse (Sally) of St. Petersburg, Florida; her daughters, Anne Burris (Jack) of Atlanta, Georgia and Mary Jeanne Lykes of Tallahassee, Florida; as well as six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be held in the Trinity United Methodist Church Chapel on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:00am. Private burial services will be held for family.