Mr. Morris H. Belle, Jr.

Sunrise: October 22, 1963 Sunset: December 29, 2023 ROCHESTER/UTICA - Morris Halles Belle Jr. was born October 22, 1963, to Morris Halles Belle Sr. and Annabelle Madison, in Utica, New York. Morris was considered to be a “miracle child”, as he and his mother almost died during his birth, and he had to have an oxygen tank to help with his breathing. He attended both St. Joseph and St. Patrick School from nursery through 8th grade; Notre Dame High School 9th-11th grade and ROTC. In his last year of high school, he attended Utica Free Academy. Morris joined the United States Army, as a Heavy Equipment Operator, 21E, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who also patriotically served their country. He was further inspired to join after understanding his cousin Fred Winston Jr. served in Vietnam. He had aspirations of joining Special Forces and qualified to do so, leading him to become an elite member of the Green Beret. After his honorable discharge from serving in the military, he became a member of the American Legion, in Utica, NY. He had one son Morris H. Belle III who he cherished, loved and supported. He loved his cousins the Winston Family, adamantly, and enjoyed visiting as much as he could up to his untimely passing. Morris loved to drive. He was an avid hunter, fisher, loved nature, animals, and loved living in forests and wooded areas. When he was younger, his room was filled with birds, cats, squirrels and a snake that he lost in the house. He thought it was funny when his sisters had to clean his room. We never knew what we were going to be faced with when we entered his room. If anyone needed money, food, a place to live or a co-signer in any way, he was there for them. He knew his assignment. Our parents instilled in him the importance of helping others, and he did it well. Morris began his Christian journey at the age of four years old. He was baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost at Christ Temple, Utica, New York, under the pastorate of the late Bishop William Thomas. Mother Glennis McCoy Ashley prayed for him and he was healed from acute asthma. Morris is predeceased by his father, Morris H. Belle Sr.; and his brother-in-law, Charles V. Render. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Annabelle Lee Belle; one son, Morris H. Belle III; two sisters, Petrice (Julius Jr.) Regina Gonzales, Richmond, Virginia and Sharon Dennise Belle- Render, Rochester, New York; niece, Regina Petrice Gonzales; great niece, Anita Denise Gonzales; great-great niece, Tru; nephew, Julius Morris (Jasmine) Gonzales; two children and a host of relatives and friends. Words cannot express the gratitude in our hearts for all the expressions of kindness, concern and sympathy extended to our family during our bereavement. Your prayers, phone calls, visits, cards, etc. have helped to ease the extent of our sorrow. We say, “thank you”. Thank you to the men and women employed by Canandaigua, Rochester and Syracuse Veteran Services and Syracuse VA Medical Center: Jackie, Osariemen, Shannon, Joy, Dr. Van Kirk, Bobby, Pepper and Joshua Z, Syracuse VA Medical Center. Thank you to the American Legion of Utica, New York. Thank you to Pastor Angela Stewart, Pastor of Metropolitan United Methodist Church, Inc., Buffalo, New York for the assistance with the obituary/program. Thank you to Chief Apostle Willie Jewel Steele and Angela U. Carter, Pastor/Overseer, Believers Miracle Deliverance Ministries, Inc. for their assistance and musician Brother Joel Mason, Greater Highway Church, Utica, New York. Thank you to New Beginnings Apostolic Faith Church for their continuous love and support to our Suffragan Bishop Ronald Mathis and Pastor V. Marilyn Mathis, Assistant Pastor, all staff, saints and friends from New Beginnings Apostolic Faith Church who came to support our family. Thank you to the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated from the Buffalo, New York, NY, Rochester and Syracuse area. Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Morris’ Home Going Service and Celebration of Life with Military Honors conferred will commence at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Morris’ honor may be made to Feed Our Vets online at https://secure.donationpay.org/feedourvets/?code=Our_Founders_Story; envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Interment will take place in New Forest Cemetery at the convenience of the family. This obituary was lovingly written by Morris’ family.

Mr. Morris H. Belle, Jr.

October 22, 1963 - December 29, 2023