Erlene Salmon Morris of Wilmington, NC, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Born January 20, 1929, in Kilmarnock, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Charles Lester Salmon and Hazel Mae Cook Salmon and was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, William Joseph Morris, sisters Ethel Hooper, Margaret Collins, Dorothy Sandlin, Alice White and brother Lester Salmon. She is survived by her sister Jane Marshall Snoddy, sons William Morris, Jr. (Mary) and Henry "Hank" Morris, daughter Mary Hazel Small (David), grandchildren William "Billy" Small, Cliff Morris, Leah Small, Abigail Morris, Joseph Small, Jacob Morris and Bennett Morris, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Erlene was valedictorian of her 1947 high school class in Port Republic, attended business school in Richmond, Virginia, and worked for several years as an executive assistant.

She and Bill were married in Richmond Virginia in 1958 and returned to his hometown of Burgaw in 1968, where they raised their family and were active in the community and Burgaw Presbyterian Church.

Erlene had many dear friends and was devoted to her family and faith. She assisted in the family building business. She was known for her beautiful singing, playing piano by ear, always speaking her mind and cooking fantastic Sunday dinners that would have made any chef envious. She also enjoyed reading, sewing and needlework.

She and Bill retired in Wilmington in 1995, where she was active in Harbor United Methodist Church and also attended Winter Park Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of life will be held at Burgaw Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to her caregivers and friends at Trinity Grove, a Lutheran Services Carolinas senior living community.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Grove, 631 Junction Creek Dr, Wilmington NC 28412.