Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Morris Funeral Home began in 1919 near the end of World War I as Reynold’s Undertaking Service. Started by Gus Reynolds, the great uncle of Gus Morris, Jr., it was located near the Thomas Wolfe Home on Spruce Street. A County Commissioner and heavily involved in Asheville politics, Mr. Reynolds brought his nephew, William T. “Bill” Morris into the family business in 1925. Bill Morris (grandfather of Gus Morris, Jr.) took over the business from his uncle Gus following his retirement in 1934. During his time in the leadership of Morris Funeral Home, Bill moved the business location to the 100 block of Merrimon Avenue also changing the name to Morris Funeral Home. Gus Morris, Sr. joined his father in the family business in 1962 and following the death of his father in 1971, became the third generation of the Morris family to own and operate the funeral home. During Gus Sr.'s time managing Morris Funeral Home, he relocated the business to 304 Merrimon Avenue by building a new funeral home in 1966. This new location included a chapel and large reception rooms filled with beautiful antiques and paintings which had been passed down from previous generations. Always looking to enhance the services offered to families served by Morris Funeral Home, Gus Sr. oversaw the installation of a crematory in 1982 making this another first for Buncombe County. Gus Morris, Jr. joined the funeral home family business in 1985 and worked alongside his father until Gus Sr.’s retirement in 1990. Gus, Jr. continues the family business today, with the same business principles and values of those before him. Recently, his son Seth Morris joined the staff making him the fifth generation of Morris Funeral Home. We are proud that in 2019, the Morris family will celebrate 100 years of service to the families of Western North Carolina.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.
We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond with kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Founded in 1919, Morris Funeral & Cremation Care has been serving families in the Asheville/Buncombe County area longer than any other funeral home. Family owned and operated for close to 100 years, Morris Funeral & Cremation Care is under the direction of the fourth generation of Morris family members.
Our Guiding Philosophy
Our establishment is operated by a staff of highly trained, local personnel, people who make their homes in Asheville, people who are interested in this community because they live here, just as do those they serve. This special interest is reflected in the friendly, courteous attention at Morris Funeral & Cremation Care, a personal interest in the welfare of neighbors and fellow citizens.
Because we at Morris Funeral & Cremation Care have never been content with just "ordinary" funeral service, we have established a reputation highly regarded in Asheville - a reputation for thoughtful, dignified service under all circumstances. At Morris Funeral & Family Care we serve just as we would like to be served.
Convenience
As a full-service company, we handle all the related details of planning ceremonies. From our facility, we can assist you in selecting cemetery property, making arrangements for burial outside the area, purchasing flowers and purchasing monuments for the cemetery.
Services, Products and Prices
We offer the greatest number of choices in our region. Our charges are clearly itemized and presented before you make any decisions. Of course, our fees usually change annually, so feel free to call for current prices.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.
Gus Morris Sr.
Gus Morris, Sr with his great-grandson, Abram Morris
A native and lifelong resident of Asheville, Gus, Sr. retired in 1990 from day to day funeral home management operations. He was a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Business Administration, he is a veteran of the US Marine Corp and has been a licensed funeral director since 1962. He was formerly active in various civic organizations. He and his wife, Mary reside in Asheville. In addition to his son, Gus, Jr. he has a daughter, Lisa, four grandchildren, a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter.
Gus Morris Jr.
Owner/Funeral Director
Gus joined the family business in 1985 and has been a licensed funeral director for more than 30 years. He became the fourth generation at the helm of Morris Funeral Home following his father’s retirement in 1990. A native of Asheville, he graduated from Asheville High School in 1978 and was a psychology major at UNC-Asheville. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Asheville and active in many clubs and organizations. Gus enjoys many outdoor activities including spending time on the water, off road motorcycling and camping off the grid. He and his wife, Vicki have a special affinity for out west and spend as much time as they can in Utah, Arizona and Colorado. He is the proud father of two sons, Seth and Aaron. Seth is the fifth generation to work in the family business. Aaron was in the United States Air Force and passed away in 2012 at the young age of 25. Gus and Vicki adore time with their grandson, Abram and their granddaughter, Reynolds and reside here in Asheville with their two dogs, Hercules and Pink.
Seth Morris
Teri Morris
Advanced Planning Funeral Director/Certified Grief Recovery Specialist
Teri is a licensed funeral director in both North and South Carolina. She started her career at Morris Funeral & Cremation Care in 1998 as the Administrative Assistant. She earned her North Carolina Funeral Directors License in September 2003 and her South Carolinas Funeral Directors License in May, 2010 after moving to Charleston, SC.
Her tenure as a Funeral Director has taken her from the Blue Ridge mountains in Asheville where she made her home for more than 28 years, to the coast of South Carolina and finally to the Piedmont area of Huntersville NC. Returning to Asheville and serving the families of Buncombe County has been a quiet heart’s desire for Teri. We welcome Teri back on staff and we look forward to the future as Teri will serve as Funeral Director, Advanced Planning Funeral Director and Grief Counselor on our staff.
After the death of her son, Aaron, Teri trained to be a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and she also facilitates GriefShare with her church. Teri believes being a Funeral Director and a Grief Recovery Specialist are the two ministries that God has blessed her with. “It is such a privilege to journey alongside of those who grieve. So many family, friends and even strangers ministered to me at the time of Aaron’s death that I promised if I were ever presented with an opportunity to serve others in the same way, I would consider it a blessing to do so.”
Amber B. Marsden
Funeral Service Licensee
Amber B. Marsden was born and raised in Rutherford County, NC. She moved to Buncombe County about a decade ago.
She and her husband, Daniel Marsden, live in South Asheville. She has one son, Timmy, and one furbaby, a mini Australian shepherd, Jozy.
For over ten years, Amber has been a noteworthy leader in the funeral industry. She is a committed funeral director and embalmer. Driven by her mother's passing at a young age, she takes pride in providing meaningful services to comfort and help families during one of the most challenging times in their lives. She is proud to be a part of the Morris team.
Amber holds an A.A.S. Degree in Funeral Service Education from Fayetteville Technical Community College, where she graduated with honors and an A.A. Degree from A.B. Technical Community College. Amber is a Senior at Western Carolina University, where she is currently finishing up a B.S.B.A. in Business Administration; she is on the Chancellor's Highest Honors List.
She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing golf. Amber and her husband are certified scuba divers and enjoy traveling to different parts of the world to dive.
Ronnie Brockwell Jr.
Funeral Service Associate
Plumie Hall
Housekeeping
The member with the longest tenure of the Morris Funeral Home staff, Pat has been working with this family since 1968. As the caretaker of the precious antiques and furnishings at the facilities, she is responsible for keeping the building beautiful. Often, Pat will be found caring for the staff, making sure we have the TLC needed to continue to care for the families we serve. Pat was married to Gilbert Hall for over 45 years before his death in July of 2002. She and Gilbert raised five children and they have fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Explore Our Location
See where we are located.