Opal Grace VanHoose Morris, aged 85, died peacefully on July 19, 2017 following a brief illness. Born in Paintsville, Kentucky, April 4, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Guy Bandy VanHoose and Clara Jane Howard VanHoose.

After graduating valedictorian of Clay High School in Rubyville, Ohio, she attended Ohio University on a full scholarship. She joined the United States Air Force and as a Staff Sergeant served as medical secretary for four years. While serving in Washington, DC, she met and married Wilford Cephas Morris. They were faithful, loving friends and caregivers to one another for 62 years.

Her life as a career military wife gave her the opportunity to live and travel throughout the United States and Europe. In 1972, Opal and Will opened All American Fabrics, a successful fabric and furniture business in Shelby, NC for more than 20 years.

Through her life, Opal was a faithful and active church member, serving on numerous committees, teaching classes and starting a congregation when needed. While a member at First Baptist Church in Shelby, she was a choir member, Sunday School teacher, librarian and friend to the deaf ministry. Her most recent membership was at Providence Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC.

Opal volunteered throughout the community. Her participation as costumer for the Greater Shelby Community Theatre was honored with the "Opal Morris Volunteer of the Year" award given annually by the organization. She enjoyed membership in P.E.O., a sisterhood whose mission is to promote educational opportunities for women. Because of her passion for genealogy, she was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, helping to found the Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson Chapter of DAR in Indian Land, SC.

Opal was a creative person and lifelong learner. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, bird-watching, sign language and reading. During the years following retirement, Opal and Will enjoyed travel and during their lives together visited 49 states.

Opal is preceded in death by her infant grandson, Thompson Morris Gammons. She is survived by three grateful daughters: Dr. Grace Morris of Charlotte, NC; Annette Morris of Charlotte, NC; Jayne Morris Gammons and her husband Dr. Keith Gammons and grandson Eliot Gammons of Macon, GA.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home with Dr. Robert Black officiating. The funeral will be followed by a time to receive friends. A graveside service will take place at Cleveland Memorial Park at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church, 10140 Providence Church Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277 or the deaf ministry of First Baptist Church of Shelby, 120 N. Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28150.

Condolences may be sent to Wilford Morris at Carmel Hills Retirement Community, 2801 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs Morris.

Guest registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com