Mr. Morris O. Hurst Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mr. Morris O. Hurst, of 2624 Riddick Drive, departed this earthly life on Jan. 31, 2017. .Morris Othello Hurst was born on June 4,1924 in Suffolk, Virginia to the late Annie M. Hurst and William H. Hurst, Sr. He was the ninth child of ten brothers and sisters. Morris was educated in Suffolk Public Schools. After he graduated from high school, he followed his brother Lloyd to West Virginia State College where he graduated with a B.A. degree in commercial art. There he played football and joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He sang in the school choir and was a well- known campus Thespian who played several Shakespearian roles including Othello for whom he was named. West Virginia State is also where he met the love of his life, Rose Tolbert of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. After he served in the U.S. Army, Morris married his beloved Rose and brought her home to Suffolk where he joined his father in the business that became Hurst & Son. It was at Hurst & Son on Factory Street that Morris became a positive force in his community. Many young people earned money helping in the coal yard as he spoke to them about the importance of getting an education and developing good character. He was also known for sharing with those in need. He touched the lives of many with his generosity and kindness including many service providers who found that they themselves were served by his wit, wisdom, and spirit. Morris was a complex man. As an artist, he saw beauty where it was overlooked by others. While his role in the family business required a great deal of physical labor, he enjoyed singing old songs and reciting poems especially “Bluebird of Happiness.” He liked to work on cars and collected them including models. He was especially fond of T-Birds. As a collector, Morris truly demonstrated the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” His survivors include nieces and nephews: Doris H. Gerst, Rochester, NY; Tazewell V. Hurst (Sarah), Temple Hills, MD; Evelyn Jones Lee (Robert), Virginia Beach, VA; David M. Hurst, Rochester NY; Leslie L. Hurst, Charlotte, NC; L. Bradley Hurst, Rochester NY; Anne Marie Hays (Terrence), Charlotte, NC. Grand nieces and nephews include Lisa Gerst, Steven Gerst, Paula Gerst, Andrea Zopp, Mark Davis, Kevin Nelson, Joyce Nelson, Deborah Mohammed, Chandra Hurst, T. Victor Hurst, III, Timothy Hurst, William O. Jones, William A. Jones, Jr., Elizabeth Hayes, Ana Maria Futrell, and Theresa Maria Ricks. He also leaves behind a host of great-grand nieces and nephews and friends such as Annie Lois Felton, Albert Jones, and Harvey Hicks. Morris was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle and friend. He was a delightfully interesting man. We will miss him; we will forever cherish his love. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Gates of Heaven Church, 112 Beech St., Suffolk. Burial will be Carver Memorial Cemetery. The Omega Service will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the church on Saturday. Harris Funeral Home has been entrusted with the home going service. You may send condolences to the family at www.vharrisfuneralhome.com

Mr. Morris O. Hurst

January 31, 2017

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