Morris E. Horton

Morris Edwin Horton was born to the union of Maurice and Elma Horton on June 19, 1963, in Seattle, Washington. He was the youngest of three children and the only boy. With two older sisters to keep up with, Morris took off running and became quite the athlete. He learned to ride his sister's two-wheel bike by age 5. At 6 years old, he and his dog Skippy would ride or walk to his God-Parents Katherine and the late Charles McCraney’s home where he and their younger son Curtis and his dog Sassy would end up at the Rotary Boys and Girls Club to sharpen their athletic skills. Morris was known to get in a fight or two, so he had to spend lots of time working on sportsmanship. His nickname was Joe Frasier because he was at the club to play basketball but spent a lot of time boxing on the basketball court. Morris also loved football and skiing. He played football and was introduced to skiing at the Central Area Youth Association.(CAYA). Even as a young boy he loved wearing suits, He always got dressed up for church, his sports banquets and was an occasional Ringbearer in friends' weddings.

Prior to his 12th Birthday. Morris accepted Christ and was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church, by the late Rev. Dr. C.E. Williams. In 1977 at 14 years of age. Morris was the youngest in the group of parishioners from New Hope to travel to the Holy Land where he was again baptized by Rev. Dr. C. E. Williams. This time it was in the Jordan River. Morris continued his Christian Education by attending Sunday School and got involved in a local community gospel choir “ True Destiny”. Morris thoroughly enjoyed traveling to various churches to sing to the glory of God.

The summer of his sophomore year at Garfield. Morris got involved in the NAACP Act-So program. Morris entered a drawing into the contest and received a trip to Miami Florida to the national competition. He didn’t win 1st place, but the experience was extremely motivating. It wasn’t until his family changed their membership to Mt. Zion that Morris became intrigued with Morehouse College the alma mater of his then pastor, Dr. Sammuel McKinney. His Junior year at Garfield his sister Bernita took him to a college fair in Atlanta where he visited the colleges in the Atlanta University Center, which included Morehouse, Spelman, Clark and Morris Brown. All located in the predominantly african-american residential neighborhood near downtown Atlanta. After graduating from Garfield High in June of 1981 he started Morehouse in August. Morris absolutely loved the campus life and being in a city so rich with African-American history and culture. It was also close to Memphis and St. Louis where he had lots of relatives. Morris quickly found and joined a gospel choir on campus, “The Atlanta Gospel Movement”. Morris was definitely a part of the movement, because he couldn’t really sing, but he could march, rock and clap on beat.

After attending Morehouse. Morris continued his education at DeVry a Technical and Engineering University where he became a Software Engineer and on to University of Washington where he became certified in numerous business applications, later specializing in (SAP)System Analysis Programing. Morris was a life-long achiever who during COVID while home bound he worked on certifications in Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, while also taking up Day Trading. The stock market's watching the ups and downs kept occupied during the last few months, was great for taking his mind off of his health challenges.

COVID caused lots of separation and Morris had two battles with COVID resulting from traveling back and forth to assist with his Mom’s care. Morris held it down by getting involved in online worship. His Sunday started with Greater Allen Cathedral, Wheeler Avenue then his church Abyssinian Baptist Church where he became a member and spent time assisting with the Blue Nile Mentoring Program under the late Dr. Calvin Butts, who like the late Dr. Mckinney was also a Morehouse man. The latter part of the day was devoted to sports, his second love in life. While loving the Seahawks. He was praying for the return of his beloved Seattle SuperSonics.

His greatest joy in life came from becoming a father. He was truly a “Girl Dad '' and enjoyed every waking minute he spent with his only daughter “Lauren”.He never missed a birthday or an occasion to teach her the things he loved like riding a bike and how to become a competitive athlete. His desire was for Lauren to be a track star, since she was such a great runner. He was so proud of her when she was selected to travel to Florida to a regional track meet. Morris encouraged Lauren to stay focused hoping that one day she’d be a track star and make it to the Olympics. Lauren turned Sweet 16 in August of 2023. Morris took her to the Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind and Fire concert. He was given the tickets by our adopted brother Philip and our sister-n-love Valerie. Earth, Wind and Fire was Morris’s first live concert as a teen and coincidentally it became his last.

Morris was born again “Car-a-holic”. His life was filled with the love of cars. At eighteen, he talked his father into allowing him to go to Germany to buy a BMW. He made all the necessary arrangements for all the tariffs, but forgot the import taxes. Needless to say his father was not happy about giving him an additional $1500 to get his car out of US Customs. Over the years Morris enjoyed various ski adventures and summits and traveling to various ski resorts. In the last few years he found “Paradise” in the Dominican Republic. On his last visit he found and visited a Christian church and sent video’s of the inspirational church services. He was truly inspired by the love, tranquility and great food the DR had to offer.

In 1980, Morris was diagnosed with a Chronic Biliary disorder at age16 and at 18 years old upon moving to Atlanta, he was seen at Emory University and diagnosed with Cholangitis. Morris lived 42 years with the same disease that killed Walter Payton in 5 years at age 45. His last two years were filled with health challenges. But he trusted God every step of the way. He learned to trust God even when it didn’t make sense. On March 20th he was admitted to Swedish Hospital for what became his last surgical procedure. On the morning of March 21, he summoned his Mother concerned that he might not make it out of surgery and he did not want his life to end at the hospital. She read Jesus Calling, prayed and told him to trust God. The procedure went as planned and Morris was able to go home on March 23. He arrived home at 3pm and on March 24 at 3pm, he peacefully entered eternity. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song”. (March 21,2024 Jesus Calling) “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you” (March 24,2024 Jesus Calling)

His amazing life is celebrated by his mother Elma Horton. His daughter Lauren and her mother Kenya Willis-Horton. His sister Carolyn Johnson-Davis, her children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. His Sister and Ride or Die, Bernita. His Aunt Etta Williams and her daughters. His God-mother Katherine McCraney and her family and too many cousins and close friends to name.

He was preceded in death by his father Maurice Horton. His God-father Charles McCraney Sr. His paternal grandparents Morris and Addie Mae Horton and his father’s only sister Marcelene Horton-Turner. His maternal grandparents Eddie and Iola Davis. Uncle(s) Johnnie, James, Ellis and Leroy Davis and Richard Shuemake. His oldest and favorite cousins Marsha Lynn Turner-Robinson and Orlando “Bud” Shuemake, along with his childhood friend Joe Joe Buchanan.

Death leaves a hole in our hearts that only God can heal. Love has given us memories that death cannot steal. Morris’s will be missed but his love and our memories will live forever in our hearts.

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