Ethel Libby Morris

Published 10:29 am Thursday, July 14, 2016

Ethel Libby Morris died July 6, 2016 at the family home in Greer, S.C. following a prayer with her brother, the Rev. Robert G. Libby. She was the eldest child of F. Meredith Libby and Ethel Gabler Libby of Douglaston, N.Y.

She attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated from Simmons College in Boston with a BS in marketing, after which she worked in New York City in sales and advertising for a national department store chain.

She married Lt. Drew W. Morris at Zion Episcopal Church, Douglaston, N.Y. and moved west with him where he attended the Colorado School of Mines. When the National Guard was federalized for the Korean War, they began 20 years of military service. She took advanced studies for teaching credentials and master’s degree at the University of Colorado, George Washington University and the American University in Washington, D.C.

During their military service, Col. and Mrs. Morris lived in two European countries and eight states.

Mrs. Morris was active in church and community. She served on the board of directors for the Franco-American Women’s Group in Orleans, France, and was president of the Episcopal Church Women EWC in Hingham, Mass. and Exeter, N.H. She was a freelance writer, and taught American history and languages in Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Since moving to Greenville in 1980, Mrs. Morris was active in Christ Church and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the Keowee Sailing Club, Greenville Power Squadron, Greenville Art Museum, Greenville Soup Kitchen, Franco-American Women’s Group, Carolina Golf Club, Engineer Auxiliary of the NSPE, Retired Officer’s Wives Club, Nathanael Greene Chapter of the NSDAR, Greenville Woman’s Club, Greenville Literacy and Greenville Garden Club.

She is survived by four daughters: Libby Morris of Tryon, N.C., Marianne Morris of Dallas, Texas, Susanne of Tryon, N.C., and Marjorie Morris of Moore, S.C.; her brother, the Rev. Robert Libby and her sister, Marjorie Johnston; grandchildren Mallory, Alex, Heather, Drew and Michaela, and great-granddaughter Catherine.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2016 at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 910 Hudson Road, Greenville.

A “Celebration of Life” reception will follow at the home that Drew and Ethel built.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hospice Care of South Carolina (110 Dillon Drive, Spartanburg SC 29307) are requested.

Submitted by Libby Morris