Shirley W. Morgan

Shirley Willis Morgan, 100, of Riverview, FL, formerly of Jackson, MS, passed from this life to an eternity with Jesus on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. Born in Morehead City, NC, August 25, 1925, the only child of Maddie Willis and Rudolph Henderson. As a child, Shirley learned from her parents to harvest crabs, clams and shrimp from the shores near the Outer Banks of NC, gaining her considerable cooking skills from an early age.

After schooling, Shirley began waiting tables near the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, NC. The day the tall uniformed Marine walked in the door, Shirley declared, "that's the man I'm going to marry!" And that she did, marrying Richard "Dick" Morgan in 1946. After military service was complete, Dick and Shirley lived in Mt Vernon, IL and Columbia, SC before settling in Jackson, MS, to raise their family.

Shirley spent her life devoted to her son and daughter and to her church, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, where she was a Charter member. She spent many hours in the church kitchen where she donated her time and cooking talents to the church's mid-week family night meal, at times feeding 75-100 members at once and the Sunday night youth dinners. She was a spunky, hard working business owner and seamstress who loved the Lord and spent many hours instilling those values in her children and grandchildren. She attended South Shore United Methodist Church in Riverview, FL after moving to the Tampa Bay area.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Richard, son Howard Henderson (Judy), and daughter Patricia Morgan Whitlock (Scott). Left to cherish the sweet memories are her son, Miles Morgan and wife Arlene of Asheville, NC, grandchildren Mary K. Anderson and husband Eric, of Riverview, FL, who selflessly provided our Meme a home, love, and expert care for 19 years; Angela Henderson of Raleigh, NC; Sheryl B. Poole of Brandon, MS; Andrea M. Osteen and husband Daniel of Swannanoa, NC; Mark Morgan and wife Hannah of Raleigh, NC; and great grandchildren Chase Anderson, Marshall Poole, Adalyah, Daxton, and Kohlman Osteen and Elizabeth Morgan.

Affinity Direct Cremation Services in Brandon, FL is assisting the family. We are beyond thankful for the tender and loving care provided by LifePath Hospice (specifically the Green Team and the Hospice House Sun City Center).

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