Vitha Bean Morse

Vitha Ann Bean Morse died June 17, 2023.  She was born on April 23, 1935 to Dallas Bean, Sr. and Nellie Pendergraph Bean. 

   She was the oldest of eight siblings, all of whom predeceased her.  In 1955, she joined the US Army as a WAC, and was stationed at Ft. Myer, Virginia.  There she met and married the love of her life, Sgt. Walter Dayton Morse on June 1, 1955 after dating for only six weeks.  For the next decade, Vitha followed her husband from one duty station to another as an Army wife.  Beginning at Bad Cannstatt, Germany, then El Paso, Texas, then Ft. Devens, Mass, and finally to Heidelberg, Germany, they lived the Army life with their five children. 

   Walter separated from the US Army and they briefly lived in Honeoye Falls, NY, her husband’s hometown.  After only one winter in upstate NY, this very southern woman told her husband, “My five children and I are moving back to my home state of NC and you are welcome to join us.”  Fortunately, Walter Morse wisely complied.  They lived the next 50 plus years in North Carolina, even after Walter’s death in 2015.

   Vitha retired from Lawrence Industries after several years of employment.  She enjoyed traveling and trips to the beach with her family and friends.

   She is survived by her daughters, Charlene Morse Rallo and husband, Dr. Michael Rallo, Patricia Morse Estes and husband, Garry; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; daughters, Debbra A. Morse and Ramona Simmons; son, David Allen Morse; son-in-law, John R. Hines, Jr. and seven siblings.

   Her service, with full military honors, will be held June 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Pine Hill Cemetery in Burlington, NC. 

   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the VFW Post 10607 or to the American Legion Post 63 in her honor.