2nd Corinthians 6-8: “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.â€
Luther L. Morton, 84, 121 Greendale Court, Elizabethton, passed away Sunday, July 8, 2012, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Will and Essie Murray Morton.
Mr. Morton retired from North American Rayon Corporation after 49 years of service. He was a member of Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton.
Mr. Morton was a gifted musician. He played numerous instruments; banjo and mandolin were his favorite. Years ago, he played on radio and was featured in pictures in the grassroots musical heritage book. He also played on the Barrel of Fun at the Bonnie Kate Theatre. In later years, he played guitar for the church choir and played with the Red Barn Band.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Morton and Mack Morton, and a sister, Helen Morton.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Ruby Deloach Morton; three sons, Michael Morton and wife Connie, Elk Park, N.C., Teddy Morton, Elizabethton, and Jeff Morton and wife Sherry, Hampton; two daughters, Jane Michalski, Lake Lure, N.C., and Iva Lee Garland and husband Rev. Earnest Garland, Elizabethton; two grandsons, Chris Morton and Teddy Joe Morton Jr.; three granddaughters, Libby Sims, Bailee Kunath and Autumn Morton; four great-grandchildren; a brother, D.C. Morton; two sisters, Ella Jay Tolley and Erma Wright, Elizabethton; one aunt, Tina Humphrey; several nieces, nephews and cousins; a brother-in-law; six sisters-in-law; and special friends, Burl Mast, Gary Simerly and Earl Jones.
Funeral services for Mr. Morton will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Rev. Earnest Garland, Rev. Dexter Brummitt and Rev. Ted Lewis officiating. Music will be provided by the Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church Trio and the Red Barn Band. Graveside services and interment will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 9:55 a.m. Thursday, will be Scott Woodby, Eddie Morton, Larry Morton, Julius Tolley Jr., Curtis Morton, Dale Morton, Jacky McMahan and Dannie McKinney. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Murray, Burl Mast, Gary Simerly, Fred Byas, Frank Culler, Niles Onks and Dennis Clark. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Friends may also call at the residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Thursday to go to the cemetery. Condolences to the Morton family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements
