Dr. James Sumner Morris: 1930-2003

Dr. James Sumner Morris, 72, died Sunday, March 16. Dr. Morris was a charter member with his wife, Betty Morris, of St. Francis of Assisi, Ooltewah, and they formerly had been parishioners of Grace Church in Chattanooga.

A memorial service was held March 21 at St. Francis with the Rt. Rev. Charles vonRosenberg, the Rev. Buckley Robbins and the Rev. Janice Robbins officiating. Following the service, Dr. Morris’ ashes were taken to the area of the church grounds called Pilgrims’ Way, where they were scattered by family members on the banks of the creek below the Memorial Garden Bays.

Dr. Morris was a deputy to the 1997 and 2000 National Episcopal Conventions, and he was a delegate to all 19 annual conventions of the Diocese of East Tennessee. He was elected to service on Bishop and Council and was serving his second term at the time of his death. He served on the steering committee for the Legacy Society, and he was on the Opportunity Fund Committee.
Dr. Morris served as the first senior warden at St. Francis and last year had completed a second term as senior warden.

In his free time, Dr. Morris enjoyed reading and discovering family history. “He loved to read,” said Betty Morris. “He had four books on his nightstand when he died.”

The couple also enjoyed traveling and were planning a trip to England this year.

Dr. Morris was an environmental engineer with Tennessee Valley Authority for 27 years. After retiring, he served as water quality coordinator for McMinn County. He also was a licensed pilot.

Dr. Morris was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, and he earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty Thompson Morris; a sister, three sons and daughters-in-law; and grandsons.