Nancy Morris

Nancy Morris, lovingly known as Nance, Mom, Nana and Miss Nancy, passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 71, after a long illness-one she faced with the same courage and resilience that defined her life.

Born on November 15, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph Valentino Halac and Sophie Lopez Halac. Her education included St. Gall Catholic School, J. Sterling East Morton High School and Coastal Carolina Community College, where she proudly earned her GED after the birth of her children.

No matter the challenge, Nancy met life head-on. She was strong and determined, never one to feel sorry for herself and always more concerned with how others were doing than with her own struggles. She felt and leaned on God's presence every step of the way.

After working various retail jobs in her earlier years, she later became the shoe department manager at the Jacksonville Kmart, a position she took great pride in and considered the culmination of her working life.

But her greatest passion was being a wife and mother. Nancy was deeply and endlessly devoted to her husband, Ed Morris, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage. They met in Illinois and married in Kentucky, eventually moving to North Carolina. She was a caring mother to Edward, Teresa and Thomas and she took immense pride in their accomplishments, celebrating each milestone with true joy. Her happiness only grew when she became Nana to her beloved grandchildren.

Nancy loved music. She remembered with happiness taking ballet classes as a child and was always up for a twirl on the dance floor. She was extraordinarily creative, and crafting was central to who she was. Sewing, painting, sculpting, crocheting-whenever something was needed, her first instinct was to make it herself. Her creativity brought comfort, beauty, and fun to the lives of those around her.

She loved all children and gave freely of her time, often babysitting for friends and neighbors. Everyone knew and trusted "Miss Nancy". Whether for her selflessness, strong work ethic, goofy humor, sassy spirit, or unmistakable laugh, Nancy left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

She is survived by her dedicated husband, Ed; her loving children Edward (Michelle), Thomas (Yuliya), Teresa (Dan); her cherished grandchildren Charlene (Mason), Kimmy, Samira, Lilly, Zarina, Calvin, Kamila, Connor and dear great-granddaughter Ellie; her precious sisters Patricia and Mary (Paul) as well as countless others.

Nancy will be remembered as a woman of deep faith, remarkable strength, quiet courage, and generosity of heart-someone who always put others first and faced every season of life with dignity.

Funeral Service honoring Nancy's life will be Friday, January 2, 2026 at St. Anne's Episcopal Church at 12:30 PM. Burial will be at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery following the service. Memorial donations can be made to United Leukodystrophy Foundation or DAV NC Chapter 16 – Onslow County