DOWNHAM MARKET: Service for Minister helps cause
UGC pic for Lynn News
More than £800 was raised in aid of the Stroke Association at a service of thanksgiving in memory of popular and well-loved Downham Methodist minister Douglas Morris.
Rev Morris, 68, who moved to Downham from South Africa in 2008, suffered a stroke during an evening service in the town’s Methodist church earlier this month. Paramedics tried to revive him but he went into cardiac arrest and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
He died the next day with his wife, Lynese, and youngest son, Brendon, by his side. His funeral took place at the church last Monday.
Rev Morris spent most of his life as a Methodist minister in South Africa. Mrs Morris said when he retired, he still yearned to do pastoral work because of his love for people.
The Methodist Church in England needed ministers and he was appointed to work in Downham for five years. Mrs Morris said he was reluctant to return home. “He really just loved people, particularly the elderly. He really enjoyed doing monthly services at care homes in the area. He also loved going to village chapels where he met small groups of people and interacted with them. You couldn’t get him away after the service because he always wanted to speak to everyone.”
Rev Morris greatly enjoyed using public transport in the UK. “He loved being able to go on Norfolk Green buses with his free pass,” she said.
More than 250 people attended the service for Rev Morris and Mrs Morris thanked everyone who made a donation in his memory. He had suffered an earlier stroke 18 months ago and she said: “I chose the Stroke Association to benefit because he was treated here in this country.”
The Methodist superintendent minister for West Norfolk, the Rev Andrew Maguire, described Rev Morris as a caring, big-hearted pastor and said: “He will be greatly missed.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light rain
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