Mary "Tink" Ann Morris

Mary Ann “Tink” Morris, passed away at age 86 after a fairly long period of illness. Mary Ann (Tink) was born in Clearwater, SC on on August 17, 1935, the daughter of Zola and Pearl Gaskins. Tink attended LBC High School in Bath, SC graduating in 1953 and on December 22, 1955 she married Billy Morris of Bath, SC and shortly afterwards they moved to Columbia, SC where Billy attended the USC, graduating in 1957. Following graduation, Tink and Billy moved to Chattanooga, TN where Billy worked for Combustion Engineering and later Cutter Laboratories and Tink was very active in Oakwood Baptist Church and the Valamont Club of Chattanooga, TN. It was here that their two sons, John Mark Morris and David Neal Morris were born in 1972. Cutter decided to build a pharmaceutical plant in Clayton, NC with Billy as the site manager and the Morris family came to live in Johnston County, NC for the next 40 years and counting. As her family grew up, Tink launched a successful career with Beauty Control Cosmetics and Skin Care for the next 22 years, retiring in 2017. In community service, Tink was on the Harbor Board providing a Safe Haven for Women and Children in Johnston County for 12 years, receiving the Harbor of Johnston County Award, the Harbor Light House Award, the Beauty Control WHO (Women Helping Others) Award for Community Service with cash gifts of $20,000 and $35,000 from Beauty Control of Dallas to Harbor of Johnston County, North Carolina.

Tink was a member of the First Baptist Church of Smithfield for 40 plus years. She was an amazing friend, spouse of 67 years to Billy Morris, mother, grandmother and neighbor and she will greatly be missed.

Preceded in death by her son, John Mark Morris, of Palm Springs CA. July 14, 2021 and also being celebrated as part of this event; parents, Zola and Pearl Gaskins and sister Helen Norris of Clearwater, SC. Surviving are her spouse Billy Morris, son David Morris and wife Teresa and grandson Joshua of Clayton, NC.

A special thanks to all caregivers that took care of Tink over the past 2 years, Pat Porcheas, Benita Ellin, Nicky Tearnen, Mellisa Pearce and Wanda Johnson. The family will forever be grateful for their dedicated support during this very difficult time.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 20 at First Baptist Church Smithfield at 10am with funeral at 11am in the sanctuary. This reception will also include friends of son, John Mark Morris, who grew up in the FBC of Smithfield and passed away July 14, 2021 in Palm Springs, CA. Burial will follow in Clayton, NC for family only.

In lieu of Flowers, please send memorial gifts to First Baptist Church of Smithfield, Fourth Street, PO Box 209, Smithfield, NC 27577. Please wear masks for all services due to covid restrictions.