Howard Venning Morrison, Sr.

Howard Venning Morrison, Sr., 77, ascended into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, June 6, 2026, after an extended illness. Venning, born in Charleston, South Carolina, was the son of the late Robert Venning and Ethel Morrison.

Venning was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and was a teacher throughout his life, with a constant concern for children and their development. He worked in Environmental Education, hoping that through education, people would come to realize that nature’s fate and man are one. Much of his teaching career was at Airport High School, West Columbia, where he taught Social Studies. At Airport High, he was also the Activity Director for Student Government, developed a TV news program, coordinated the building of Eagle Park, and was Coach Morrison of the Bowling Team. After retiring from Airport High, he taught at Richland Northeast High, Swansea High, and Newberry High. In the last years of his teaching career, he was a part-time Adjunct Instructor for Lexington Two Adult Education, where he taught Work Keys to prisoners. Regardless of your status, you were important to Venning—whether a scholar or a prisoner, he treated and valued you the same. After 40+ years of classroom teaching, he retired to his ultimate teaching role, “Deda’s Daycare” for Linley Havan. Those were his most treasured teaching years.

Venning was a member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, and was a baptized child of God. Venning felt closest to God in nature and enjoyed fishing and camping with family and friends. He loved spending time on the Congaree River fishing for stripers, shrimping in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, and in the Florida Keys, where the water meets the sky.

He was the former Regional Director of the South Carolina Special Olympics, a former Lexington County Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner, and he was a former member and president of the Palmetto Parrotheads Club, where he spearheaded the passing of the Parrothead license plate to support the Alzheimer’s Association.

Venning is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Rhonda Whittle Morrison. His pride and joy were his sons, Venning, Jr., Van (deceased), and Leland (Lauren); as well as his grandchildren, Morgan Morrison Harrison (Scott), Venning, III (Katie), and Linley Havan Morrison. He was blessed with great-grandchildren, Claire and Charlie Harrison; and due in the fall, Grant Morrison. In addition to being Deda to his grands, he was also Deda to two generations of many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved. Daddy and Deda were his favorite titles.

Venning was an only child but found kindship in his Vaigneur brothers-in-law; his Charleston Morrison cousins; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, David (deceased) and Ann Bell, Paul and Carol Sease, and Don and Kay Boyce. Venning had a love for dogs and was surely greeted in Heaven by Luke, his giant golden lab that never left Venning’s heart. He leaves behind his pack—Cooper, River, Ashley, Maggie, Duke, and Biscuit.

A memorial service wil be held 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Barr Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel, 609 Northwood Road, Lexington, SC 29072. Attire is casual. In remembrance of Venning, please donate to your favorite charity. In lieu of flowers, Venning asked that you do the following in remembrance of him:

▪ Plant a tree or “trees” if you are wealthy (Venning’s words).

▪ Take a child fishing for their sake.

▪ Practice the Golden Rule for one whole day.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful teams from Amedisys Hospice and Senior Helpers for the comfort and care they provided him.

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