Dannie A. Morris
Dannie A Morris became interested in funeral work while in 2nd Grade standing in the front yard of Westside Primary School in Quantico, Maryland. He observed Booker West existing Mt Zion United Methodist Church after a funeral service. It was at this time a seed was planted concerning mortuary studies.
Dannie was born and raised in Hebron, the seventh of eight children of the late Merrill and Savanna Morris. He is a proud graduate of Mardela High School. He also graduated from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Special Education. Later he returned to Catonsville Community College to obtain a degree in Mortuary Science. In 2013, Dannie received his Master’s in Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, post graduate courses were taken in doctoral studies (ABD).
Dannie started in funeral services the year of 1987 under the tutelage of the late Loretta B Jolley (Jolley Memorial Chapel) in Salisbury, MD. Shortly after working with Mrs. Jolley, Dannie joined with Lewis N Watson in Salisbury. Rev Watson was instrumental in Dannie returning to school, Mortuary School. In 1995, Dannie graduated from Catonsville Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. Rev Watson instilled a strong foundation in the field of funeral service.
During the tenure with Rev Watson, Dannie served under the late Anthony E Ward, Sr learning the basic concepts of embalming. Mr. Ward was a true embalmer teaching the art and science of the field. This allowed Dannie to become a trade embalmer in the local Salisbury area. Dannie was not only an embalmer, but he also covered funerals for Ward and Stewart Funeral Homes as the licensed director.
In 1998, Dannie was afforded the opportunity to meet Janelle Henry Buck. From this meeting, little did they know an empire would be born. In 2013, Dannie began working full time with Janelle. She was instrumental in teaching funeral arrangements, preneed, and OSHA compliance. This was a relationship lasting over 23 years working side-by-side until her untimely demise. While working with Janelle, Dannie returned to Jolley Memorial Chapel assisting Loretta and Pat Jolley as their embalmer.
A special thank you is in order for the many colleagues who shared an encouraging word and support throughout the years.
Dannie A. Morris
Dannie A Morris became interested in funeral work while in 2nd Grade standing in the front yard of Westside Primary School in Quantico, Maryland. He observed Booker West existing Mt Zion United Methodist Church after a funeral service. It was at this time a seed was planted concerning mortuary studies.
Dannie was born and raised in Hebron, the seventh of eight children of the late Merrill and Savanna Morris. He is a proud graduate of Mardela High School. He also graduated from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Special Education. Later he returned to Catonsville Community College to obtain a degree in Mortuary Science. In 2013, Dannie received his Master’s in Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, post graduate courses were taken in doctoral studies (ABD).
Dannie started in funeral services the year of 1987 under the tutelage of the late Loretta B Jolley (Jolley Memorial Chapel) in Salisbury, MD. Shortly after working with Mrs. Jolley, Dannie joined with Lewis N Watson in Salisbury. Rev Watson was instrumental in Dannie returning to school, Mortuary School. In 1995, Dannie graduated from Catonsville Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. Rev Watson instilled a strong foundation in the field of funeral service.
During the tenure with Rev Watson, Dannie served under the late Anthony E Ward, Sr learning the basic concepts of embalming. Mr. Ward was a true embalmer teaching the art and science of the field. This allowed Dannie to become a trade embalmer in the local Salisbury area. Dannie was not only an embalmer, but he also covered funerals for Ward and Stewart Funeral Homes as the licensed director.
In 1998, Dannie was afforded the opportunity to meet Janelle Henry Buck. From this meeting, little did they know an empire would be born. In 2013, Dannie began working full time with Janelle. She was instrumental in teaching funeral arrangements, preneed, and OSHA compliance. This was a relationship lasting over 23 years working side-by-side until her untimely demise. While working with Janelle, Dannie returned to Jolley Memorial Chapel assisting Loretta and Pat Jolley as their embalmer.
A special thank you is in order for the many colleagues who shared an encouraging word and support throughout the years.
Sheree Sample-Hughes
Apprentice
Sheree Sample-Hughes represents District 37A, which encompasses both Dorchester and Wicomico counties. She is the second African American and the first woman to hold the seat. From 2019 to 2024, she served as Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming the first African American woman from Maryland's Eastern Shore to hold the position. She also served as a presidential elector during the 2020 Presidential Election and currently serves as a member of the House Government, Labor and Elections Committee. Nationally, Delegate Sample-Hughes serves as Chair of Women in Government, leading policy discussions and advancing initiatives that impact women and families across the United States.
In addition to her distinguished career in public service, Delegate Sample-Hughes has built a lifelong commitment to serving families through the funeral service profession. Her journey began while still in high school as an intern at Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home in Salisbury, Maryland. She later joined Stewart Funeral Home, which became Stewart Funeral Home by Holloway & Downey, where she spent more than 15 years gaining invaluable hands-on experience and learning every aspect of the profession.
Although her path to becoming a licensed mortician was nontraditional, her passion for funeral service never wavered. In 2019, she returned to the classroom to pursue formal mortuary education. She graduated from the Community College of Baltimore County in 2024 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science. Today, she serves as an Apprentice Mortician at Trinity Funeral Services and Cremation Services under the mentorship of Ronald Taylor, II and Dannie Morris. Throughout her career, she has also been deeply influenced by the guidance and example of longtime mortician Russell Fooks, Sr., whose mentorship helped shape her approach to compassionate, dignified service.
Delegate Sample-Hughes has been recognized with numerous honors for her leadership and service, including the Rural Maryland Council's Rural Champion Award, The Daily Record's Top 100 Women in Maryland.
A lifelong learner, Delegate Sample-Hughes is a graduate of Community College of Baltimore County, Delaware State University, and Wilmington University. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration, and a certificate from the University of Maryland, College Park's Academy of Excellence for Public Policy.
She entered elected office nearly two decades ago, beginning her public service in 2006 as a member of the Wicomico County Council. Whether serving families during life's most difficult moments or advocating for Maryland residents through public policy, Delegate Sample-Hughes remains committed to leading with compassion, integrity, and purpose.
Delegate Sample-Hughes is married to Desmond and is the proud mother of two sons, Jordan and Noah, and "Grandmom" to Hunter, an Irish Doodle. She has dedicated her life to serving her family, her community, and the State of Maryland, embodying the principle she has long embraced
**"Yours In Service."**
Sheree Sample-Hughes
Apprentice
Sheree Sample-Hughes represents District 37A, which encompasses both Dorchester and Wicomico counties. She is the second African American and the first woman to hold the seat. From 2019 to 2024, she served as Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming the first African American woman from Maryland's Eastern Shore to hold the position. She also served as a presidential elector during the 2020 Presidential Election and currently serves as a member of the House Government, Labor and Elections Committee. Nationally, Delegate Sample-Hughes serves as Chair of Women in Government, leading policy discussions and advancing initiatives that impact women and families across the United States.
In addition to her distinguished career in public service, Delegate Sample-Hughes has built a lifelong commitment to serving families through the funeral service profession. Her journey began while still in high school as an intern at Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home in Salisbury, Maryland. She later joined Stewart Funeral Home, which became Stewart Funeral Home by Holloway & Downey, where she spent more than 15 years gaining invaluable hands-on experience and learning every aspect of the profession.
Although her path to becoming a licensed mortician was nontraditional, her passion for funeral service never wavered. In 2019, she returned to the classroom to pursue formal mortuary education. She graduated from the Community College of Baltimore County in 2024 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science. Today, she serves as an Apprentice Mortician at Trinity Funeral Services and Cremation Services under the mentorship of Ronald Taylor, II and Dannie Morris. Throughout her career, she has also been deeply influenced by the guidance and example of longtime mortician Russell Fooks, Sr., whose mentorship helped shape her approach to compassionate, dignified service.
Delegate Sample-Hughes has been recognized with numerous honors for her leadership and service, including the Rural Maryland Council's Rural Champion Award, The Daily Record's Top 100 Women in Maryland.
A lifelong learner, Delegate Sample-Hughes is a graduate of Community College of Baltimore County, Delaware State University, and Wilmington University. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration, and a certificate from the University of Maryland, College Park's Academy of Excellence for Public Policy.
She entered elected office nearly two decades ago, beginning her public service in 2006 as a member of the Wicomico County Council. Whether serving families during life's most difficult moments or advocating for Maryland residents through public policy, Delegate Sample-Hughes remains committed to leading with compassion, integrity, and purpose.
Delegate Sample-Hughes is married to Desmond and is the proud mother of two sons, Jordan and Noah, and "Grandmom" to Hunter, an Irish Doodle. She has dedicated her life to serving her family, her community, and the State of Maryland, embodying the principle she has long embraced
**"Yours In Service."**
Ronald Taylor, II
Funeral Director
Ronald Taylor, II
Funeral Director
Staff Name
Staff Position
Staff Name
Staff Position
