Obituaries April 2, 2024
Margaret Morrison
Whether she was selling a family their new home as a Realtor, hosting the annual neighborhood holiday caroling party, or making her daughters’ friends feel welcome in her own home, Margaret Morrison was all about community.
Margaret Duvall Morrison died Friday, March 22, 2024, in Charlotte, one month shy of her 84th birthday.
A native of Cheraw, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Howard Elliott Duvall and Martha McInnes Duvall and the wife of the late Thomas Kirkpatrick “Pat” Morrison Jr. Margaret is survived by her daughters, Emily Morrison Thomas and Stewart Morrison Rowe; her son-in-law Rick Rowe; her grandchildren Emily, Lauren, Ryan, Mic and Matt Rowe; her sister, Martha Duvall Jones of Charlotte; her brother, Howard Elliott Duvall, Jr. of Columbia, S.C.; and sister-in-law, Allianne Duvall.
After graduating from Salem College in Winston-Salem in 1962, Margaret moved to Richmond. That’s where she met Pat Morrison. They married in 1964 and, after a brief stint in Morristown, N.J., they were transferred to Charlotte (to Margaret’s great relief). They settled with their two young daughters on Ellsworth Road in the Cotswold neighborhood. As a family, they loved camping trips, visiting the beach and being outdoors. Margaret and Pat spent hours in their garden planting so many varieties of day lilies that neighbors would come by every evening in the summer to see which were in bloom.
Margaret earned her real estate license in the early 1980s and began working with Jimmie Basinger of Basinger Realty. After Pat’s death in 1982, Margaret worked with “Mr. B” for more than 40 years, including her stint as Vice President of the Association of Realtors in Charlotte. Margaret and Mr. B served as mentors and friends for several generations of realtors.
She was the OG of working Moms before they even existed, and refused to sell her own house in Cotswold to prove wrong all those who didn’t believe she could afford it on her own, using her career to keep her home and support her daughters. She put them both through private colleges without a penny of debt for Emily or Stewart, and faithfully drove the un-air conditioned blue van to help with every move-in and out each August and May in New Orleans and Charleston. Margaret’s strength, resilience, determination, and unwavering insistence on doing the right thing have positively impacted her family, colleagues, and community.
At St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Margaret served on the Altar Guild for more than 40 years and faithfully occupied the 1st seat in the 4th row on the right side for even longer. With Friendship Trays originating in the kitchen of St. Martin’s, she delivered meals for them for many, many years, continuing her focus on community.
In addition to her family, Margaret loved tomato sandwiches (only after July 1st!) with Duke’s mayonnaise; her garden; and Duke basketball. Not necessarily in that order.
Margaret Morrison will be buried at Old St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cheraw alongside her beloved husband, at 11:00 AM. on April 4, 2024. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 AM, on April 5, 2024, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St. in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, Margaret chose to continue her loving support of Friendship Trays, now known as NourishUp.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
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John Robert Sullivan passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia for four and a half years.
John Robert was a strong man who loved his family and friends. He married his sweetheart, Patricia Rollins, in 1962. They shared 61 years of marriage. John Robert was the son of John Hazel and Lynn Nicholson Sullivan. John Robert is survived by his wife, Patricia, two daughters, Lori S. Horton (Marty) of Jefferson and Marcy S. Adams (Brian Heemsoth) of Rock Hill, his brother, Richard Sullivan (Debbie), three grandchildren, Russell Horton (Jessica), Rebecca Horton, and Richard Horton, two great-grandchildren, Emmett and Lane Horton, his nephew Brian Sullivan (Missy), his great-nephew, Preston Sullivan, and several cousins that he loved dearly.
John Robert was a faithful man who loved his church and church family. He served as an Elder and Deacon of Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church at an early age. He taught the Men’s Sunday School Class for 31 years.
John Robert graduated from Jefferson High School in 1960 and attended Wingate College for one year. He had to leave Wingate at that time to help support his family due to his father’s illness. He worked at Caro-Knit in Jefferson for 41 years as the Dye Department Supervisor until the plant closed. He then went to work for Whitley Lawn and Garden in Monroe, NC until he retired in 2017 to have knee replacement surgery.
In 1992, John Robert began attending Coker College to finish his degree. He attended on a National Guard grant which allowed him to work days and go to school at night. He finished the three years in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science. He was on the President’s List with Honorable Mention and upon graduation, received the Alumni Cup Award.
John Robert loved wood-working and was so handy at many things. At night, he attended carpentry class at Central High School under the supervision of Mr. Arnie Hansen. John Robert built an entire bedroom suite for Pat and himself.
John Robert cherished time spent with his daughters Lori and Marcy. He was so proud of their accomplishments. It brought him joy to see the young women they had become.
John Robert was so proud of his grandchildren, Russell, Rebecca, and Richard. Each participated in many school sports and he was always there to enjoy and support them. Many evenings you could find him in the back yard hitting or throwing balls, pitching to them, or catching for them. His heart was full of love watching them practice.
Family gatherings were a favorite of John Robert’s and each was special to him. One of his greatest joys was preparing breakfast on Christmas morning each year.
John Robert was a kind man with a gentle manner who loved all he met. He had a quick wit, loved to joke, and always loved to “get one over on you”. John Robert will be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services for John Robert Sullivan were held at 3:00 PM Monday, April 1, 2024 at Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church officiated by Pastor Tommy Lee Sexton and Pastor Sue Black with interment following in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Sunday, March 31, 2024 in the sanctuary of Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church.
Memorials may be made to Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church, 1357 Johnson Road, Jefferson, SC 29718.
Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Sullivan family.