Havannah Simmons Morton, born November 7, 1928 in Washington, North Carolina (Beaufort County) peacefully departed this life on Thursday December 26, 2013. She was the third born child of four daughters to the late Walter E. and Cora Lathan Simmons.

Havannah graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1946; continued her education at Norfolk State College, now Norfolk State University and graduated from Maryland State College, now (UMES) University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland.

After graduating from (UMES) Havannah began her teaching career in the Norfolk, Virginia Public School System, and continued until she married her college sweetheart Joseph H. Morton (deceased) on April 17, 1954. From this union two daughters were born; Ava Jo and Marcia Elaine. Havannah taught in the Charles County Public School System at the following schools Port Tobacco, Malcolm, and retired as a Music Educator from J.C. Parks Elementary School in 1990 where she impacted so many students.

After retirement, Havannah was a caregiver to her father until his death, and then in 1991 began the most rewarding part of her life as a "Grandmother" to her first born grandchild, Adriana DaNae Gutrick in 1991. Havannah continued to enjoy her granddaughter Adriana and when Alexys Danielle Gutrick was born in 1997, she was blessed with a second beautiful granddaughter and lovingly cared for them both until they entered kindergarten; enjoying their educational successes all the while.

Havannah joined Metropolitan United Methodist Church in 1955 not long after moving to Charles County, Maryland. She was an active member of the Women's Society of Christian Service, serving as President (UMW) United Methodist Women. Havannah formed the Choraleers (Male Chorus) in the late 1960's and continued the music ministry for thirty years, also singing in the A.C. Kane Memorial and Combined Choirs. Havannah also served as the chairperson of the Annual Homecoming and Golden Cross celebrations. During her retirement she and Joe traveled across country and to Alaska where they enjoyed their 50th wedding anniversary.

She leaves to mourn and celebrate her life, two daughters; Ava Jo and Marcia Elaine, one son-in-law, C. Bobby Gutrick, two granddaughters; Adriana DaNae and Alexys Danielle Gutrick, one grandson Phillip Watson, one great-grandson Pierre Amir Cheney (Patrick). Two sisters Emily Simmons Hendrick and Cora Simmons Sutton, two brother-in-laws Richard Jeremiah Marbray (Marion), Plummer Hendrick, Sr., one devoted God-daughter Donna S. Stukes (Alphonso), children Bryanna and Brandon; great-Goddaughter(Serenity). A host of special sons and daughters, nieces, nephews and friends. What a wonderful family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Joseph H. Morton Memorial Scholarship at the College of Southern Maryland. https://foundation.csmd.edu/sslpage.aspx?pid=354 Designation: Other. Specify: Joseph H. Morton Memorial Scholarship or mail you contribution to: CSM Foundation, Attention: Martina Arnold, Post Office Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646.

Family Hour, 9:30 am until time of Service, 11am, Monday, January 6, 2014 at the Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road, Indian Head, Maryland. Interment, Cheltenham Veteran Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.

Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD 20640.