April 25, 1897 – November 6, 1994
by Eva Morriss, Saint Timothy’s Church, Wilson, 2011
“Life is exciting. There’s a new adventure every day,” declared Florence T. Stratton Morrill, who moved to Wilson, North Carolina, in 1925. Florence was very active at Saint Timothy’s, Wilson, where she taught Sunday school for an extended period and served as an efficient and industrious church hostess for twenty years. Florence considered serving as a delegate to the Diocesan Convention an honor and privilege. She surmised, “I’ve done everything at the church except preach.” Florence’s strong religious convictions were deep-rooted in her Episcopal background and study of philosophy. Job was her favorite book of the Bible because “God is loving, but man only has a finite ability to understand Him.” “Forgiving is difficult but necessary to be at peace with yourself,” Florence said. “If you can’t love your neighbor you can see, how can you love a God you can’t see?”
Florence’s lifelong search for truth and thirst for knowledge went beyond the bounds of literature and philosophy. During her busy years at Saint Timothy’s, she compiled two booklets in 1987: Symbolism at Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Wilson, N.C and Stained Glass Windows, Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Wilson, North Carolina. Both booklets continue to be used in the parish Christian Formation programs. Once when Florence was talking with the First Communion class about symbolism and the stained glass windows, a student looked at her and asked: “Are you a saint?”
Serving as a hostess brought Florence much acclaim. She especially enjoyed preparing spoon bread and champagne slush. Her Black Russian Cake recipe – with homemade Kahlua of sugar, instant coffee and “spirits” – is divine! She loved gardening and continued tending and pruning until her death. About her advanced age, Florence said that curiosity, loving friends and family, a sense of humor and faith in God kept her going.
Florence was interested in everything except spectator sports, but said, giggling, “I did do some courting on the tennis courts.” She was an active member of The Book Club, Wilson’s oldest women’s literary club.
Florence spearheaded a new ECW chapter at Saint Timothy’s, Saint Francis Guild, which continues to be instrumental in visiting the elderly and shut-ins and organizing transportation for those who have problems getting to doctors’ appointments or shopping.
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Florence graduated from Randolph Macon College and Columbia University. One of her business school professors at Columbia dedicated a book on banking to her.
Florence had fond memories of her days in Richmond, Virginia, where she worked as a deputy collector for the Internal Revenue Service. The government sent her a Colt .45, just in case it was needed on the job. She said it was not issued to her because she was the only woman working in her building. It was through her IRS job and mutual friends that she met Samuel Poore Morrill of Wilson who married her and brought her to his home town.
A gentle, humorous lady, Florence lived until the age of 97 and is buried in Saint Timothy’s columbarium.