WASHINGTON, D.C. — "Wendy" Carlene Delores Morgan, age 74, of Washington, DC, passed away August 13, 2021, at MedStar Washington Hospital, District of Columbia, from complications resulting from COVID Pneumonia.

Affectionately called "Wendy" throughout her life, she was the only child of William and Mattie Belle Morgan of Wadesboro, NC, both parents preceded her in death. Her father was an educator and her mom a cosmetologist/homemaker. With both parents soon recognizing Wendy's independent spirit and love for education, they agreed for Wendy to complete her high school education at Mather Academy, a private African American boarding school in Camden, SC. Wendy later earned an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD.

A dedicated, lifelong learner, Wendy also graduated from the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University Summa Cum Laude, completing the challenging program in one year. The essay she wrote describing her professional experience before attending Harvard and why she wanted to be accepted in the Master's degree program in Public Administration was chosen to be published in the John F. Kennedy School Bulletin, Fall, 1979.

Upon acceptance into Harvard, Wendy was also awarded the prestigious Littauer Fellowship; therefore, becoming a Littauer Fellow during her entire matriculation at Harvard.

While at Harvard, Wendy was recruited and appointed by President "Jimmy" James Carter as a "Presidential Appointee, Special Assistant to the White House," assigned to work with the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), later changed to the current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Working with the Honorable Patricia Harris and her staff was one of the many highlights Wendy fondly shared with friends and family over the years of discussing this special time in her career.

Wendy soon created her own business and developed the highly successful Diversified Management Associates, serving as Chief Executive. For more than 40 years, this over achiever managed Behavioral (Mental) Health and Government Agencies, wrote winning grants, contracts, and became well-known and respected for her work ethic throughout the business community.

Always challenging herself to do more, Wendy earned a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and Psychotherapy.

With this degree, Wendy began a long and successful career as a psychotherapist, specializing in helping clients overcome emotional trauma. As a psychotherapist, Wendy often shared that she "absolutely loved working with her clients" and found the work rewarding to see so many clients move from oppressive experiences to more satisfying lives.

A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Wendy maintained friendships with several of her sorority sisters through the years. Attending the sorority's 50th reunion celebration gave her great stories to share with friends for months! Her main interest outside of her professional career was her family members, including the care of her beloved mother until her passing away at the age of 91.

A North Carolina native who found success in her adopted home of Washington, DC, Wendy will always be remembered and loved for her magnetic personality, deep, robust laughter, and her signature response whenever asked how she was doing: "Girl, I got good potential!"

She is survived by loving cousins, childhood friends, long-time neighbors, former co-workers, and a host of others whose lives she touched with her unforgettable laughter and kind ways.

Wendy lived a single, professional life full of dedication, successes, and adventure. She toured Europe in her youth, enjoyed new experiences, and made a host of friends. Despite life changes through illness over the last few years, Wendy's indomitable spirit prevailed to remind us of the preciousness of each moment of life.

Arrangements are with JB Jenkins Funeral Home, 7474 Landover Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20785.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation or to a charitable organization of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Anson Record from Aug. 31 to Sep. 1, 2021.