Sr. Payton Morrison

Mr. Payton Autry Morrison, Sr., 72, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Mr. Morrison was born in Iredell County on October 29, 1940 and was the son of the late Fred Pressley Morrison and Letha Bell Stewart Morrison. Mr. Morrison was a graduate of Celeste Henkel High School and St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC. On June 11, 1962 he married Violet Gay Culler Morrison, who preceded him in death on September 4, 1992. In addition to his parents and wife, Payton was also preceded in death by a sister, June Morrison Knight. His first job was at the Young Men's Shop in downtown Statesville and he later became Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Allis-Chalmers from 1968 until 1990. He was later associated with Duetz-Allis, White/New Idea Farm Equipment, United Farm Tools and at the time of his death, he was self employed. He was an avid golfer and woodworking enthusiast and for 41 years was involved in scouting. He was troop leader of Troop 609 and he mentored and cultivated numerous Eagle Scouts. He grew up in the First ARP Church of Statesville where he later became a deacon and an elder. He later became involved in the First Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir for each church. Mr. Morrison is survived by son, Payton A. Morrison, Jr. and wife Dawn York Morrison, one daughter, Melody Morrison Beaty and her husband Thomas Beaty, two granddaughters, Violet Victoria Beaty and Lillian Alexandra Beaty, all of Statesville. Funeral services for Mr. Morrison will be conducted 3:00 PM Saturday, April 27, 2013 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Grant Sutphin, Rev. Steve Scott and Rev. Dr. Jeff Porter officiating. Active and honorary pallbearers will be Eagle Scouts who earned their Eagle Badge under Payton's scout master leadership. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Payton's memory can be made to Iredell Christian Ministries, 322 E Front St, Statesville, NC 28677 or to Fifth Street Ministries, 1400 5th St, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.