Mary "Bitsy" Morgan

Mary “Bitsy” Fulcher Morgan was born January 9,1945, in Critz, VA. Her father, John Fulcher, was Secretary-Treasurer at Hooker Furniture Corporation. Her mother, Louise, was a music and kindergarten teacher. In 1950, the Fulchers moved to Martinsville. In 1951, Bitsy’s brother John, Jr. was born.

Gifted academically and musically, Bitsy began studying piano with Miss Elizabeth Davis, and later with Miss Ruth Pace. Bitsy was in the “top ten” scholars in her Martinsville High School Class of 1963. She was a loyal member of the high school band, and performed as a majorette during marching season. Bitsy was baptized at the former First Baptist Church downtown, where she was active in the music ministry.

Upon graduation, Bitsy entered Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, graduating in 1967 with a BA in Music. In the 1960’s, she met Fred, a native of Fort Myers, FL, and a student at Wake Forest University. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married at First Baptist Martinsville in 1968.

Fred and Bitsy spent time in Richmond, VA and Athens, GA before moving to Columbia, SC, where their three daughters were born. In 1981 the family moved to Asheville, NC, where Bitsy and Fred would remain for the next 40 years. Once in Asheville, Bitsy began working as a Director of Music, serving several local United Methodist Churches, including Trinity, Weaverville, and Skyland. Most were combination positions with education, where she led youth groups, children’s choirs, handbell choirs, Bible school, and jumped in to fill any role needed. Her strong faith was a guiding force in her life. In later years, the couple joined Central United Methodist Church.

Beyond her musical gifts, Bitsy had a wealth of other talents. Her children remember a home filled with music, love, homemade meals, cakes, and sourdough bread, handmade costumes, flowers and tomatoes from the garden, and wonderful decorations to make every holiday a special memory. Always prioritizing family, she continued many of her parent's traditions, which her children carry on with their own families today. Bitsy was a force of nature. She loved fully and put her heart into everything she did.

In 1996, Bitsy’s health began to decline after a stroke, but with pure determination and courage, she overcame many challenges. Then, in 2014, she suffered another life changing health crisis. She spent the next several years in a long-term care facility due to her substantial needs. Bitsy and Fred had envisioned living their retirement years in Winston-Salem where their lives together began. So, in 2021, the children moved both Bitsy and Fred to a new home in Winston-Salem where they finally lived together once again.

Bitsy was preceded in death by her father, John T. Fulcher, Sr., and her mother, Louise Marion Fulcher. She is survived by her husband of fifty-seven years, Fred L. Morgan, Jr., her daughters, Dr. Elizabeth Morgan (Bergethon) and her husband Mark of Orlando, FL; Allison Reid and her husband Rob of Fort Mill, SC; and Ashley Morgan of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by her grandson, Quinn Morgan Bergethon, two granddaughters, Morgan Riley Reid and Emory Amelia Bergethon, and her brother, Rev. John T. Fulcher, Jr.

A memorial service and musical celebration of Bitsy will be held at First Baptist Church, Martinsville, VA, at 3pm on Sunday, January 18th. A link to a recording of the memorial service will be made available on this site the following week.

Bitsy will be remembered for her remarkable talents, her magnetic smile, her warm spirit, and her charitable heart. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Music School at Salem College, the Humane Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).