Virginia Roseborough Morton

age 84, died Saturday, January 16, 2010 after a lengthy illness. A native of Senatobia, Miss., Mrs. Morton was the daughter of the late Williamson and Lille Scott Roseborough, from whom she learned incredible patience, compassion, generosity and a strong Christian faith. She attended Mary Baldwin College and was graduated in 1947 from the University of Mississippi, where she was a Delta Delta Delta. She was married in 1948 to Charles Brinkley Morton, who had an impressive career as a soldier, Mississippi legislator, lawyer, Episcopal priest and bishop. As a young wife, Mrs. Morton taught Spanish and business courses at Northwest Mississippi Junior College, while her husband pursued his law degree at Ole Miss. Later as a homemaker and mother, she supported her husband's ministry when he became an Episcopal priest, serving churches in West Point and Okalona, Mississippi, Grace St. Luke's Church in Memphis, and the Episcopal Cathedral of the Advent in Birmingham. When Mr. Morton was elected Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego in 1982, they spent eight years there with her serving as an anchor and partner to him in his work. After her husband's death in 1994, Mrs. Morton remained in Memphis for a time and then moved to Nashville to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Morton had a knack for making people feel good about themselves and was known for her contagious sense of humor, for her engaging story telling, for being a wonderful hostess and for her devotion to her family and friends. She was the kind of person who was always determined to make the most and best of any situation, including her lengthy battle with dementia and other health problems in her final years. Over the years, she had many interests from cooking to gardening, to sewing, smocking, arranging flowers, playing bridge, reading, and traveling. She was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames, DAR, and Daughters of the King. Mrs. Morton was always a tireless volunteer in her church and in community service in all of the cities where she and her husband lived during their almost 50 years of marriage. But her favorite pastime was her family, with her four grandchildren holding a bright spot and deep devotion for her until the end. Survivors include her son Charles Brinkley Morton Jr., her daughter Mary Morton Hance, both of Nashville, her sister Lille Roseborough Mortensen, of Cleveland, Ohio, and her four grandchildren, Elizabeth Hance Miller, Anna Virginia Hance, Janine Denise Morton, all of Nashville and Lance Corporal Thomas Charles Morton, who is a Marine, stationed at Kaneohe, Hawaii. Visitation and services will be held Wednesday at Grace St. Luke Episcopal Church in Memphis, TN. The family requests that memorials be made to Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1720 Peabody Ave., Memphis, Tn. 38104, or the charity of your choice. For service times contact PHILLIPS-ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, 2707 Gallatin Rd. 262-3312.

Virginia Roseborough Morton

March 10, 1925 - January 16, 2010