Leander R. "Lee" Morgan was a native of Washington, D. C.

He received his, secondary education in the District of Columbia Public schools and later matriculated at Howard University, Miner Teachers College and received a Master of Science Degree from George Washington University Washington, D.C.

Lee was employed in the D. C. school system as a teacher prior to his entrance into the United States Army. He was honorably discharged and returned to teachiung.

In 1962, he and his family moved to New Bern, N. C. where Lee traught in the New Bern City School System and, eventually, became a teacher-principal.

After a few years, he joined the faculty of Craven Community College and was Chairman of the Human Service Division. Lee bvecame a funeral director in 1963 and in 1968, attended McAlister-American Academy for his formal funeral service training in New York City. In 1969, he became a licensed emblamer in the state of North Carolina.

In 1971, Lee was elected to the City of New Bern's Board of Aldermen, becoming the first Black to serve in such a capacity. He further made history when in 1977, Lee was elected as Mayor, the first and only black to lead New Bern in its municipal affairs. Lee's service in the City of New Bern in elective office included three terms as its Mayor and two terms as Mayor Pro-Tem.

He has served on a number of appointed boards and commissions, including: Chairman of the New Bern Housing Authority Commission, Chairman of the New Bern Branch Banking & Trust (B.B.&T.) Company Advisory Board, The Governor's Blue Ribbon Strdy Commission for Transportation, Neuse River Development Corporation Craven County Hospital Board, Tyron Palace Commission, the New Bern Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors, N. C. State Bar Council, N. C. State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission and a life member of the N.A.A.C.P.

He received numerous awards, namely the N. C. Conference of Black Mayors, Inc. Award The George Henry White Award, Omega Pswi Phi Service Awaard, Alpha Phi Alpha Community Service Award and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Distinguished Service Awards and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Distinguished Service Award for the Mid Atlantic Region.

Lee had been affiliated with the N. C. Funeral Directors Association, the N. C. Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, the New Bern Kiwanis Club, the New Bern Civitan Club, the Elks, Masons, Free & Accepted Masons, and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He was also affilated with St. Peter's A.M.E. Zion Church and served as Vice-Chairman of the Trustee Board.

He is survived by his widow, Barbara Rivers Morgan of New Bern, N. C.; four sons, Judge Michael Rivers Morgan (Patsy) of Raleigh, N.C., L.Robert "Robbie" (Dana) Morgan Jr. and Gary Smith Morgan, both of Newbern, N. C., and Marc Sparrow Morgan of Greensboro, N. C. , daughter, Attorney Lisa Gaye Morgan of Durham, N. C. and four granddaughters.

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