Joseph Morrison

Joseph Morrison was born in Trenton, New Jersey, the last of 10 children born to Simon Peter Morrison and Margaret Smith Morrison. Unfortunately, both parents died while he was a child, and Joe was raised by his loving older sister, Fannie Morrison Lindsay. Joe often shared fond memories about growing up on Sweets Avenue, recounting family, friends and events that shaped his life as a young boy. He especially reminisced about the times he spent with his nephew, Riley Nollie, who was more like a brother than a nephew since they were the same age. The family attended Mt. Zion AME Church, and Joe was very active there. He often reflected on the guidance he received from his mentor there, Mr. Calvin Herring, as well as his Boy Scout leader. Joe attended Trenton public schools and graduated from Trenton High School in 1960. He attended Wilberforce University in Ohio where he met some lifelong friends. Not from a “rich” family, Joe often shared about the generosity of some of the “little old ladies” at Mt. Zion who, from time to time, would send him money to help with school expenses. While at Wilberforce, he spent his junior year studying at the University of Hull in England. He graduated from Wilberforce in 1964. Hearing God’s call, Joe entered Drew University Theological School and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1968. He later received a Master of Sacred Theology from New York Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from the PostGraduate Center for Mental Health in 1978. He met and married Portia Webb in 1968. They had two beautiful, intelligent daughters, Crystal Elizabeth and Marjorie Mercedes. Unfortunately, the marriage dissolved, but their friendship and respect for each other remained solid. He later met and married Brenda Stevenson, who gladly assumed the role of “bonus mom” to Crystal and Marjorie and entered a friendship with Portia. Although Joe grew up in the AME Church he opted to join the United Methodist Church and was ordained an Elder in 1968. His first appointment was in 1968 as Associate Pastor at Trinity UMC in Schenectady, NY which was part of the Troy Annual Conference. In 1970 Joseph was appointed as pastor to Springfield Gardens UMC in Queens, NY in the New York Annual Conference (NYAC). Until his retirement in 2008, Joe served several churches in the NYAC including Setauket UMC (Setauket, NY), Newman Memorial UMC (Brooklyn), Metropolitan Community UMC (Harlem), Bethany UMC (Brooklyn) and St. John's UMC (Valley Stream). Between Bethany and St. After John's appointments, Joe served a 6-year term as District Superintendent of the Long Island West District of NYAC. Joe retired from “active” ministry in 2008. He and Brenda moved to Charlotte, NC where they united with Simpson-Gillespie UMC. Here, “Rev. Joe” (as the members fondly called him) from time to time assisted with worship and other ministerial matters as requested by the appointed pastor. In his retirement, Joe did not “rest on his laurels.” He served a term on the Board of Directors of the neighborhood association for the Village Glen community where he and Brenda live. He also participated with the local chapter of Wilberforce Alumni Association with which he served as Chaplain. Additionally, he reactivated his fraternity membership and joined the Beta Nu Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. Joe had health problems through the years, but over the last several months they worsened. And while family and friends prayed for his recovery, God, in his infinite wisdom, knew what was best and on May 30, 2025 He called His servant Home. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his nine siblings (Simon Peter Morrison, Jr., James Morrison, Ann Morrison Mathes, Fannie Morrison Lindsay, Edith Morrison Stevenson, Ethel Morrison Young, Mabel Morrison Johnson, Virginia Morrison Ware, and Ernestine Morrison Mason), and nephew Riley Nollie. He leaves to cherish his memory wife Brenda, daughters Crystal Morrison Wilson (Darlon) and Marjorie Morrison Curry, twin grandsons Lucas and Elias Wilson, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. Thanks be to God for the life, service, and legacy of Joseph Morrison.

Joseph Morrison

August 9, 1942 - May 30, 2025