Carlton Ray Morris

Carlton Ray Morris, age 76, longtime resident of the Somerville Community, retired merchant and husband of the late Libba Morris died Thursday morning, July 12, 2012 at the Methodist Hospital in Germantown.

Services for Mr. Morris will be at 3 Saturday afternoon at the Somerville First Baptist Church with interment in the Somerville City Cemetery. A visitation for Mr. Morris wil be from 1 to 3 Saturday afternoon at the Somerville First Baptist Church. Arrangements will be provided by the Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel in Somerville.

Mr. Morris was born September 11, 1935 in Somerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fate Morris, Sr. and Lucille Chambers Morris. He received his education in the Fayette County Public School System and was a graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville. He was married October 17, 1959 to the former Elizabeth Ann “Libba” Morris, his devoted wife of 53 years, who preceded him in death on June 16th of this year.

Mr. Morris was a grocery merchant in Somerville for many years. He owned and operated food stores in Somerville under the name of Carlton’s Foodland and Carlton’s Sunflower and also operated Carlton’s Sunflower in Moscow before his retirement in 1991. He served for a number of years as a member of the Somerville Board of Aldermen and participated in numerous community affairs throughout his life.

A devoted member of the Somerville First Baptist Church, Mr. Morris served as Music Director of the church for many years and participated in numerous church activities. He also served as Interim Music Director and Revival Song Leader for a number of Baptist Churches in Fayette County and surrounding areas. Mr. Morris and his wife generously gave of their time and talents in singing duets at many funerals, weddings and local events. He will be remembered for his Christian faith and devotion to his family. A favorite pastime was golfing with his many friends at the Somerville Country Club.

Mr. Morris is survived by two daughters, Carla Beth Garcia (Bubba) of Columbia, SC, Dianna Dik (Daniel) of Collierville; two sisters, Petesy Bedwell of Somerville, Anne Carr of The Villages, FL; four grandchildren, Rachel Brake (Eric) of Birmingham, AL, Derrick Rose of Columbia, SC, Matthew Curtis of Collierville, Carley Ann Dik of Collierville; and his great granddaughter, Savannah Beth Brake.

Mr. Morris was preceded in death by his parents, Fate Morris, Sr. and Lucille Chambers Morris; two sisters, Vivian Sultis, Bettye Bryson; his brother, Fate Morris, Jr.; and his great grandson, Weston Brake.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers will be Preston Douglas, Ed Denniston, Joe Grant, Raymond Kelley, David Kelley and Chris Sultis.

Honorary casketbearers will be Somerville First Baptist Church Choir Members.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Somerville First Baptist Church Media Fund, 12685 S. Main Street, Somerville, TN 38068.