Joan Hart Morse

Joan Hart Morse, age 93, of Charleston, SC, passed away in her home on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Joan was a native of Mississippi and grew up in Jackson.  She was a resident of Charleston, SC for the last 11 years.  She attended the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS.  She was a graduate of Central High School in Jackson, MS.

Joan and her husband worked in Commercial plumbing, heating, and air conditioning for many years, running and owning Morse Mechanical Contractors in Jackson, MS.  In later years they worked in Real Estate Sales and development on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Joan loved all animals, especially horses, dogs, and cats.  She loved reading and watching good mystery stories.  She enjoyed bridge and other card games.  Joan was a great conversationalist and loved a good political discussion.  She never met a stranger.  Joan especially loved spending time with her family and friends.  She was the “Life of the Party” and she never wanted to miss out on any adventure.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph B. Morse, Jr. who passed away on January 25, 2007.  She is survived by her children, Cynthia H. Morse, Dr. Lauren M. Spillmann (Dr. Scott J.), Melinda M. Zalesky (Alexander), and Tara M. Hoff (Frederick T.);  her grandchildren, Edward Lee Herring, III (Trey), Ashley (Hart) Herring Rhoads, (Scott) Ross Spillmann, Aaron (Kent) Spillmann, (Celia) Heather Spillmann Hoagland, (Taylor) Joseph Spillmann, (Sylvan) Claire Zalesky Reed, (Sofia) Grace Zalesky Pitrone, Nikolas Alexander Zalesky, Lukas Morse Zalesky, Dr. Emily Annette Hoff, Major Olivia Brooke Hoff, USAF, and Captain Ethan Frederick Theophilus Hoff, USAF; and her great grandchildren, Skylar Jordan Rhoads, Hazel Mae Spillmann, Nora Anne Spillmann, Waylen Pearl Hoagland, Leon Alexander Pitrone, Ford Francis Pitrone, Milo William Pitrone, Valerie Amorett Pitrone, Sloane Isabella Reed, Ryker Everett Reed, and  Ruth Louise Hoff.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the following animal shelters in Joan’s name:  The Humane Society of South Mississippi https://www.hssm.org/ or Southern Pines Animal Shelter https://www.southernpinesanimalshelter.org/ 

A Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave, Biloxi, MS.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi is serving the family along with McAlister Smith Funeral Home in South Carolina.