Major Mercer Morrisette

Major Mercer Morrisette, Jr., 78, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday afternoon, April 25, 2026, surrounded by his beloved wife, two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Mercer was born on February 7, 1948 in Norfolk, Virginia, a son of the late Major Mercer Morrisette, Sr. of Elizabeth City, NC, and the late Helen Gaither Morrisette. His mother died when he was eight months old, and he was blessed to have two additional “Moms” in his life… his Aunt Mary Maude Byrum (“Momma Mary Maude”), who raised him along with her own toddler, Marilyn (his “Stroller Sibling”), and later, his Step-Mom, Emma Weeks Morrisette, who blessed him with a baby brother, William Allen Morrisette.

Mercer played high school basketball and graduated from Elizabeth City High School in 1966, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971. After serving in the US Army from 1971 to 1974, he received his Master of Science in Business Administration degree, with honors, from Boston University in 1974.

While serving in the US Army, he attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, becoming proficient as a German linguist and interpreter, a skill he later continued using by translating German in movies for his family. He served in Company B, USASA, Field Station Berlin, and was also a quarterback on the Company B football team. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Occupational Medal (Berlin) and an Honorable Discharge in April 1974.

Back in the United States, he was employed by Cross Sales & Engineering Co. in Greensboro, NC, serving in various capacities as Credit Manager, Inventory Control Manager, and Corporate Operations Manager until 1985. When he and his wife, Jeanne, moved their family to Surfside Beach in late 1985, Mercer worked in the mortgage lending industry and utilized his management expertise to help Jeanne establish her CPA practice, serving as the “Firm Administrator” for over 15 years.

Mercer had a passion for teaching, which perhaps fueled his keen ability to give a 20-minute ad hoc speech on just about any subject. In addition to lovingly bestowing numerous nuggets of wisdom upon his two daughters, he taught office colleagues “Mercer’s Rules for Business” (including “learn to read upside down” and “always make your boss look good, especially in front of their boss”), and even taught a finance course at Coastal Carolina University for a couple of semesters.

All of these talents eventually led him to the profession of his dreams. Following the path of his two uncles, William Hayes Gaither (“Uncle Billy”) and William G. Gaither, Sr. (“Uncle Will”), the Financial Services and Insurance industry became his passion, where he was able to use his financial wisdom to educate and help hundreds of clients. He joined Prudential and received his insurance and securities licenses in 2003, and later CLTC, LUTCF and MDRT designations. Mercer retired from Prudential as an employee in February 2021 and as Agent Emeritus in January 2022. 

He was an active member of Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church, where he has served in the past as Council President, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Chairman of the Growth Committee.

An avid Tarheel his entire life, Mercer rarely missed watching a UNC game during both basketball and football seasons, and also never missed an opportunity to correct the spelling of “Dook.” He lovingly made fun of the Braves each baseball season, while still cheering them on faithfully. He passed along his love of and talent in sports to his two grandsons, who will forever call him “Coach.”   

Mercer is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeanne, his two daughters, Jennifer Morrisette Cowden of Greenville SC, and Kimberly Morrisette Conder of Durham NC, two sons-in-law, David H. Cowden IV and Johnathon Conder, and two grandsons, David Alexander Cowden and Benjamin Mercer Cowden. His brother, William Allen Morrisette, preceded him in death. Sisters-in-law include Kay Fesperman Sides, Harriet Fesperman Black, Beth Fesperman Saintsing, and Debra Phelps Morrisette. Brothers-in-law include Ronald N. Sides (deceased), C. Clifton Black, and Dean Saintsing. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church, 2637 Business Hwy 17 South, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 2:00 pm, with visitation preceding the service at 1:00 pm in the Narthex.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shepherd of the Sea Memorial Fund.  

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guestbook, please visit www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Service (843.651.1440) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.