James "GoMan" Morries

James “GoMan” Morries, age 89, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away suddenly at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was born on December 20, 1933, to the union of Bud Morries and Hattie Campbell and was the father of “The Morries Sisters Gospel Singers”.

He was born in Beulah, Mississippi, and spent more than 68 years of his life in Lorain after moving to Elyria, Ohio, in 1952 with his mother, his aunt Irene (née Riggins), his uncles, Aaron, Junior, Scott, James, and Jeremiah (all Willis), and their families. In 1956 he served in the US Army and after discharge he returned to Lorain, eventually retiring from Ford Motor Company after 35 years of service.

He was a former member of New Bethel Baptist Church, before becoming a member of New Morning Star Baptist Church in 1969, founded by his uncle Rev. Jeremiah Willis where he served as a member of the Trustee Board. 

He cherished his friends, family, music, singing, and preaching.  His favorite sports teams were the Cleveland Browns and the Cavaliers, and he was a huge football fan.  He enjoyed playing poker, pinochle, and spades, although he would fly outside of the state to play bingo – a game that he often called “work” because it became his new job. GoMan loved everything about money – making it, having it, and keeping it. His favorite saying was “that dog don’t hunt”.

GoMan was passionate about fine quartet music and enjoyed singing gospel songs.  Lee Williams, The Violinaires, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, The Soul Stirrers, The Golden Echoes, The Elite Jewels, The Munndoras, The Ballard Brothers, Mary Glover & Company, his family groups The Sonlight Gospel Singers, New Morning Star Baptist Choir, The Seven Travelers, and the Cleveland All Stars were among some of his favorite gospel groups.  He joined his first gospel group, The Heavenly Band, in 1967 and they released two albums, including Hello Sunshine. He was blessed with a powerful voice and was known for it.  He is well known for singing the popular songs "Too Close To Heaven," "I've Got Shoes," and "Finally Made It”.

After the Heavenly Band disbanded in 1995, he joined the Tones of Joy where he and his cousins Perry, Jackie, Barbara, and Irene enjoyed performing locally for years.  But the highlight of his gospel career was when he co-founded The Chosen Vessels of Cleveland Ohio with his daughter Faith Hairston and performed Internationally in London, England.

He married Liza B. Turner in 1965 and together had a combined total of fourteen children. He leaves to mourn his departure, his daughters Brenda (Mathis) Franklin of Lorain OH; Faith (late Sam) Hairston of Garfield Heights OH; Jeannette (late Gary) Byrom of Berea OH; Wanda (Michael) Blount of Baytown TX; Dr. Rhonda Morries of Humble TX, and Renee Bramley of Lorain OH; sons, Terry (Amanda) Morries of Cleveland, OH; Franke (LaTasha) Morries of Champaign IL; Dr. Bud Morries of Whittier CA, and Sonny Morries of Lorain OH; 45 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and special friend of 30 years Priscilla Hall of Lorain OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Dorothy Morries, his wife Liza Morries, his sisters Joanna “Honey Mae” Howard, and Selina Worthy; his daughters Selina Shavers, Linda Turner-Cobbs, and stepdaughter Sarah Turner-Black, his son David Turner, and his grandson, Carlton Byrom.

A visitation hour will be held Friday, October 13, 2023, from 9:00 AM until the time of his service at 10:00 AM at God’s Believers in Christ Church, 520 W. 22nd St, Lorain OH 44052. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain.