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James Matthew Morton, 78 of Charlotte Court House, passed away on July 7, at his residence. He was the son of the late Russell Morton Sr. and Louise Anderson Morton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sons, Michael and Tracy Morton and Tywan Williams; four brothers, Willie Miller, Russell II, Arthur William (Margaret) and Fred and two sisters, Mary Louise (Robert) Foster and Annie Marie Bedford.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie Morton; sons, Carnell (Leslie), Victor Alexander (Tania), Cyrus Shuford (Selene), James Jr. (Sheila), Matthew Hancock and Shelton Morton; one daughter, Makida Mitchell; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Douglass Morton (Rosa); one sister, Florence Lockett; two brothers-in-law, Keith Williams (Maylen) and Terrell Williams (Nicole); eight sisters-in-law, Belinda Smalls (Anthony), Rendessa Capers (William), Linda Williams, Cynthia Rodriquez (Steve), Cassandra Murphy (Desmond), Melvina Morton, Rosa Morton and Gladys Morton; special great-nephew, L.J. Morton, whom we babysat from three months old until the present; closest friends, Mattie Robinson of Washington, D.C., Helen Marie Davis, Marian Bolden, Arthur Peterson and Tim Elliott; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 17, at 1 p.m. at St. Louis Baptist Church Cemetery in Charlotte Court House. Public viewing will begin on Friday, July 16, from noon until 7 p.m., at the funeral home in Brookneal.

Arrangements are by Jeffress Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Brookneal.