Earnest S. Morrison

CCC Honoree Morrison was born on the family farm in Nebo, Barbour County, WV on November 25, 1923. At age 16, he left home and spent a year as a woodsman on Cheat Mountain. He knew there had to be a better life out there, and at age 17, he filled out the necessary papers, forged his father’s signatureand that of a Notary and reported to Beverly, WV, where he was turned down for being under weight. Three days later, after drinking 1/2 gallon of water to make up the difference, he was accepted.

He was assigned to Camp 2584 in Beverly, WV as a carpenter. He then held several positions, learning all he could. In November of 1941 he volunteered to relocate, and was sent to G-78, Camp 4609, Kemmerer, Wyoming and was honorably discharged on March 27, 1942 and received a “4-F” unfit for military service rating for his serious stomach ailment, because a doctor sewed snips into his stomach during an appendix operation in Wyoming.

Mr. Morrison returned home to Nebo, where worked as a carpenter. He met and married his wife Wilda in 1943. They had 3 sons and 3 daughters and they spent many years living in Barbour County and Ohio. Ernie worked as a machinist, and was a successful home remodeler. He became a devoted Christian after being saved by a traveling minister. He volunteered his time with the Boy Scouts of America, served as an auxiliary police officer, and as church treasurer and elder.

His wife Wilda passed away in November 2000 and at Wilda’s suggestion, he married his wife’s best friend Marie Hewett a year later. Together they practice their daily devotions with no TV, news or radio in the home. They maintain their own home, and raise a huge garden each year.