Merle Ray Morris

Merle Ray Morris, age 86, of Winchester, VA went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He was a beloved husband and a wonderful father. He will surely be missed. Merle was born June 18, 1939 in Dunbar Township, PA the son of Clarence and Violet Hammett Morris. He graduated from Dunbar Township High School in 1957. Merle was married to Margaret Iris Morris for 64 years. He married Margaret Iris Sveinbjornsson in Hagerstown, MD on February 28, 1959 and welcomed a son, Steven Merle Morris, a year later. Moving to Bryans Road, MD, the family grew with the addition of his late daughter Lisa and his late son Keith. He had a varied professional life with men’s clothing, various furniture businesses as well as operating a restaurant, The Ravens Inn, in Markleysburg, PA. Merle served as the President of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association. Leaving the restaurant business, Merle and Iris relocated to Winchester, VA to be closer to friends and family. Merle worked at Grand Home Furnishings until he retired. Merle was a member of Fellowship Bible Church. He was very active in the church and an avid member of the Crack of Dawn Bible Study. Merle was a member of the Gideons International since 1970, serving in various position such as Chaplain. He was instrumental in putting thousands of Bibles in the hands of various people at local festivals such as Apple Blossom as well as in various hotels and establishments. He enjoyed having lunch with his good friend Fred Jennings where they have led many a soul to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is survived by his son, Steven Merle Morris of Winchester; siblings Dennis, Darrell, & Larry Paul Morris, and Lynn Hall as well as a large extended family. In addition to his wife, his children Keith Scott Morris, and Lisa Elana Morris, many of his siblings have preceded him in death. Merle was well loved and will be missed by his fellow Gideons, his friends in southern Maryland, the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, members of Fellowship Bible Church, and his extended family. A memorial service will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Fellowship Bible Church which is located at 3217 Middle Road in Winchester. Friends will be received an hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will be private in Franklin Cemetery in Dunbar, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International. Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven...” The promotion of the gospel of Christ to all people is to the end that they might come know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior. The Morris family would like to thank his friends and members of the Gideons that Merle has had for these so many years, his friends at the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, his friends at Fellowship Bible Church, and his friends at Grand Home Furnishings. Life has been good. We turn once again to our faith in God. The billowy clouds in the heavens remind us that God surely bestows his grace upon his people.

Merle Ray Morris

June 18, 1939 - December 23, 2025