Bishop James H. Morton, Georgia pastor with ties to Detroit, Aretha Franklin, dies

Bishop James H. Morton, Sr., a noted former Detroit pastor, musician and music director for the late Rev. C.L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin, died Feb. 11.

He was 76.

Morton grew up surrounded by a distinguished family of ministers. His father, the late Bishop Clarence Leslie “C.L.” Morton Sr., established Mount Zion Church, and founded the Canadian and International Churches of God and Christ in Windsor and Detroit. His radio ministry was also widely popular.

James Morton was the fourth of nine children to Bishop C.L. Morton and Evangelist Matilda Morton in Windsor, Ontario, Canada where he grew up.

His sister, Gwendolyn Morton, remembered her brother, affectionately known by family members as “Jim,” as humorous, very talented and one who looked out for his sisters.

His desire to serve the church was realized at 8 years old, when his father overheard him singing the song "You Can’t Beat God Giving" and was asked to lead the church in singing the song the following Sunday, family members said.

Under the pastoral leadership of his father, Morton perfected his craft as a gifted musician and skilled singer serving as minister of music.

He began a singing group known as the Morton Brothers with his two brothers Clarence and George. He later traveled the country with his youngest brother Paul as a singing duo.

“He was a fabulous organist,” Gwendolyn Morton said.

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Morton’s musical prowess opened doors for him to serve as a musician for Burnette Baptist Church in Detroit, under the leadership of the late Rev. J. Allen Caldwell and he was also the music director for the late Rev. C.L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin.

Morton preached his first sermon in 1968 at Mount Zion Church of God in Christ in Detroit when he was 22 years old. He went on to become the pastor of True Faith Baptist Church in Detroit, serving there until 1984 before assuming the pastorate of Thankful Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1993, a congregation of 1,400 members followed him as he established New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, where he pastored until his death.

In August of 1994, Morton was consecrated to the Office of Bishop within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, under the leadership of his brother, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr.

An unofficial mentee of the late C.L. Franklin, Morton was regularly called upon to preach at New Bethel Baptist Church and was often featured on a late-night Sunday radio broadcast.

During Morton’s celebration of life service last weekend in Decatur, Georgia at New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church, his brother, a recording artist and founder of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International in Atlanta, announced that Pastor Tracy L. Boles would succeed Morton as pastor of the church.

“He was a great pastor, father and brother. A giant of a man, who had a heart of gold,” Gwendolyn Morton said about her brother.

He is survived by his children, Kimberly Morton Powell (Alverrick), Jason Morton (Yuri); his close friend and co-parent for 58 years, Elder Denise Morton; siblings Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. (Pastor Debra Morton), Ruby Morton Johnson, Gwendolyn Morton, Jacqualine Morton and Jeanetta Morton; grandchildren, James, III., Amber, Tion, Shahollinie, Shaniya, De’Sean, Devontae, Kaylyn, Brandon, Zion, Alani, Trinity, Jason, II., Jules, and Yalayna; nine great-grandchildren; and godchildren Nicole Ruff Payne and Jason Welborn, Jr.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: James H. Morton, pastor with ties to Detroit, Aretha Franklin, dies