Avis (Sonny) Wilburn Morrison

AVIS “SONNY” WILBURN MORRISON, age 65, of Neola, WV, formerly of Harford County, was called Home on November 20, 2005 at the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Born in Renick, WV, he was the son of the late Lester Morrison, and the late Nora Long Morrison. Known as “Preacher Sonny,” he was called to preach at age 19, but did not answer the call until age 54, becoming ordained in Lewisburg, WV in 2000. He was pastor to two churches, Neola Baptist Church, and Cooktown Community Center Church, both in West Virginia, and evangelized in Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He was an independent truck driver for 37 years, and would not take money for pastoring. He lived in Maryland for 39 years before moving back to Greenbrier County, WV. He credited the Lord with teaching him to read, and his greatest joy was to preach the Gospel and listening to singing. He loved the Lord, his family, and West Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jessie Gwynn Dowell Morrison, of Neola, WV; three daughters, Sherrie Ann Hutton, and Shenna Marie Morrison, both of Street, and Shawn Renee Stroup of Chase; two brothers, Leroy Long of Monroe County, WV, and Willard Bruce Morrison of Smyrna, DE; two sisters, Lorena Lowery, and Arlene Faye McMillion, both of Elkton; eight grandchildren, Tanya Lea Williams of Street, John Paul Kinhart of Owings Mills, Ricky Lee Morrison, Nichole Gwynn Morrison and Steven Michael Morrison, all of Street, Jessie Ryan Morrison, Jeremy Adam Stroup, and Sarah Elizabeth Stroup all of Chase; and two great-grandchildren, Randall David Williams III and Connor Lee Morrison, both of Street.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Morrison was predeceased by a son, James Lee Morrison, and two daughters, Brenda Sue Morrison and Jessie Lynn Morrison.

The Pallbearers are John Kinhart, Randall Williams, Jr., Ricky Morrison, Steven Morrison, Jessie Morrison, and Jeremy Stroup.