The Reverend Joseph Graham Morrison III, age 99, died Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at his home, The Woods at Holly Tree in Wilmington, NC.

He was born October 24, 1911 in Shelby, NC to the late Joseph Graham Morrison Jr. and Pearl Gardner Morrison. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Carolyn Craven Morrison and two sons, Jackson Davis Morrison and Junius Watson Morrison. Joe was the oldest of five children; Junius Morrison, John Morrison, Margaret Morrison Guillette and is survived by his sister, Anna Morrison Whiddon of Boone. He is also survived by one son, Dr. Joseph Graham Morrison IV and wife, Traudy of Acworth, Georgia, and one daughter, Ann Morrison Keir and husband, Danny of Wilmington; eight grandchildren, Ralph Morrison, Daniel Keir, Dr. Christopher Keir, Laura Morrison, Amy Morrison, Michelle Morrison, Jake Morrison and Mike Morrison; and seven great grandchildren.

Joe was called to the ministry while in high school and enrolled in Davidson College, graduating in 1933. He then entered Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 1936 and accepted a call to his first congregation near Richmond, Virginia. where he served for four years. In November 1936, Joe married Carolyn Craven, the love of his life.

In 1941, while serving the Grove Presbyterian Church in Kenansville Joe was called into active duty as an Army Chaplain. He served for five and a half years of which 42 months were in combat duty in the South Pacific, sometimes presiding over funerals of up to 90 servicemen a day. He was honorably discharged in February 1946 as a Major, receiving the American Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, and the APT Medal with two battle stars.

Joe served as pastor in Ronceverte, West Virginia for 16 years. In 1965, he became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Wallace for 10 years before retiring. Joe continued to serve churches in the area, most recently at Hopewell Presbyterian Church and preached his last sermon there at the age of 97.

Joe's hobbies included hunting, baseball and flying as a private pilot for 52 years. Dear friends and faith sustained Joe and Carolyn all their lives. The family would like to thank their friends and staff at The Woods at Holly Tree for their love over the last nine years, Dr. Mary Rudyk and staff for their kind attention, and Walker for her care of Joe in his last days.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, January 30, 2011 at the Wallace Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev Dr. Phillip Gladden and the Rev Robb Lapp, with the family receiving friends and relatives at 2:00 pm in the church fellowship hall prior to the service. Burial will follow at Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery with military honors.

Charitable contributions may be made to Wallace Presbyterian Church, PO Box 717, Wallace, NC 28466, Hopewell Presbyterian Church, c/o Betty Evans, 7195 US Hwy 117 N. Watha, NC 28478 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401.

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