Deacon Charles Morton

Charles Henry Morton Sr., known to his family as Dad, Pop, G-pop, uncle Charlie, and to his church family as Deacon Morton was born on Saturday, April 6, 1929 in Montclair, New Jersey to the late Norman and Katherine (Brooks) Mortonwhere he was raised in a Christian home. Charles attended Montclair High School, however made the decision to help his parents financially leaving his high school experience prior to completing his degree to later complete his Graduate Education Degree. His first job was catering at The Chadwick Restaurant in Montclair. 
On November 5, 1949, Charles married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth Jacqueline Blackwell also born in Montclair, New Jersey where they supported and raised five children together. His greatest joy was embracing and loving his wife, children, and extended family and friends.
Between 1953-1994 (42 years) he was employed with Hoffman La Roche as a laboratory technician. He was involved in starting their first Bible Study class at Hoffman La Roche meeting daily during their lunch breaks. During this time there were only 10 African American’s (all males) employed at Roche. When Mayor Matthew Carter, the first African-American mayor of Montclair worked at the pharmaceutical plant during the early 60’s Charles along with his co-workers worked to successfully increase the number of minorities to gain employment at Roche.   
To support his family Charles worked various part-time jobs, such as catering with one of the first black owner caters; The Montclair Debnam Catering Business; Midland Apartments on Midland Avenue and Walnut Street parking cars where he met astronaut Buzz Adrian’s father who at the time was a resident at the apartment complex.  
Charles accepted the Lord as his personal Savior in the early 1950’s when he experienced a radical spiritual transformation to follow and serve Jesus Christ. He heard the voice of the Lord spoken through the Reverend Deforest Soaries Sr. in a little church in Montclair that forever changed his life. Being raised as a child and member of St. Paul’s Baptist Church he quickly assumed the role as a servant for Christ.  His love for Jesus was demonstrated each day as he served as a man after God’s own heart. Sunday School teacher, the Superintendent of Sunday School, continuing he served as a missionary attending the St Paul Baptist Church missions’ trip to Haiti during 1990. Charles’ passion was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ when taking the SPBC missionaries to The Walter Hoving Home Garrison, New York. One of Deacon Morton’s favorite missionaries’ assignments was passing out the Little Red/ White Bibles. Charlesbecame a Walking Deacon at St Paul’s during the early 1970’s following in the footsteps of his uncles Charles Morton, and David Morton Sr. On Sunday, April 7, 2019 during his 90th birthday celebration Deacon Charles H. Morton Sr. was granted Emeritus Deacon status during a beautiful first Sunday Communion Service. Charles received an outpouring of love and well wishes from all. We look back recognizing God’s gift to Charles: A Celebration of Life!
Charles was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth Jacqueline Blackwell-Morton, first-born son, Charles Henry Morton Jr. He leaves to carry on his legacy and memory four children: Elizabeth-Ann Corinne Morton-Lasley, (Steven Carlyle Lasley), Steven Wayne Morton, Nancy Lynn Morton, and Dr. Timothy Allen Morton (Elizabeth Ann Morton); four grandchildren: Stephen Smith, Steven Wayne Morton Jr. Nathaniel Carlyle Lasley, and Zoie Corinne Elizabeth Morton; three great-grandchildren; Jordan Charles Morton, Jayshaun Morton, Jayda Morton; Brother James (Peter) Morton, sister-in-law Dorothy (Hatchett) Morton; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  
Emeritus Deacon Charles Henry Morton Sr. is now a jewel in God’s Crown and within our hearts, he will be deeply missed by so many who knew and loved him.
The Morton Family would like to thank you for your prayers and kind expressions of sympathy as they reflect the life of Emeritus Deacon Charles Henry Morton Sr. Please keep us in your prayers, and may God continue to bless each of one of you.

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