Rebecca Irene Phelps Shinn Morton

Rebecca Irene Phelps Shinn Morton, 89, of New Bern, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

A funeral service to honor Becky’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, January 18th at Beaufort by the Sea Community Church, officiated by Rev. Rusty Willis. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service.

Becky was born on December 7, 1936, in Durham County, NC, and adopted on April 18, 1937, by her loving parents, J. Charles and Katie Clyde Poole Phelps. Her father worked for the railroad, moving the family several times depending on where the company sent him. Including Baltimore, MD, where Becky turned 5 years old. With rumors of the Japanese coming to bomb New York, the family left that day and returned to Raleigh, NC.

Along with so many of her Poole cousins, Becky attended Needham Broughton High School. It was there that she took the Latin courses needed to attend nursing school. She graduated from Broughton in the Spring of 1955 and entered Duke University School of Nursing in the fall. Becky graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May of 1959.

While working at the VA Hospital in Durham, Becky sometimes had shifts on the psychiatric ward. On one particular shift, she met one of the Hospital Administrator Interns, Jim Shinn. A cup of coffee in the hospital cafeteria led to more dates, and more dates led to a wedding in January of 1960. Jim accepted many positions as Hospital Administrator, including as the first administrator of Carteret General Hospital. In January of 1969, they relocated to Southern Pines where Jim had accepted the administrator position at Moore Memorial in Pinehurst. He passed away due to cancer in 1973. Becky followed and supported him their entire marriage.

After Jim’s passing, Becky took her 3 children to Atlantic Beach to spend the summer with her parents. This led to a move from Southern Pines to Atlantic Beach. The small family prospered in the salt air and water of Carteret County.

In 1978, Becky was reunited with Jim Morton. These two had had sparks flying during their childhood and teenage years. Jim and Becky married on April 21, 1979. This union blended 7 children, and future numerous grandchildren. It also yielded 2 businesses in Morehead City, Sportsman’s Den and Carteret Lanes.

After many years of being business partners, they finally sold both entities and began travelling and RV’ing. Trips to see family in Florida, to see the Ark in Kentucky, to Maine for a cruise and trips to the North Carolina mountains and then to build their dream home in Carolina Pines, where they have grown older together.

Becky’s health began to seriously deteriorate. Jim was determined to keep her home, and indeed he did. For 46+ years, they were partners in every aspect of their marriage, a true blessing from God from the very beginning before she was born, God had a plan for Becky.

Becky leaves a large family to celebrate her and keep her memory alive, including her husband of 46 years, Jim Morton; her children, Millie Shinn of the home, Jim Shinn (Katrina) of Southport, NC, and Chuck Shinn (Rhonda) of Newport, NC. Jim’s children also survive her, Shelly Ronald (Peter) of Warrnambool, Australia, Brian Morton (Mary Lou) of Clermont, FL, Bob Morton of Boca Raton, FL, and Bruce Morton (Jennifer) of Lake Stevens, WA.

Becky’s grandchildren and great grandchildren include John Williard (Lori), Nora Williard, James Williard, Brittany Kinsley (Ryan), Emelyn Shrout, Jake Shinn (Ally Williams), Katelynn DeFore (John), Alex Shinn, Morgan Morris (Casie), Blair Morris, Brynn Morris, Zach Morris, Chloe Morris, Mackenzie Morris, Matthew Morton (Robin), Lucy Morton, Evan Morton, Bryce Morton (Madison), Tyler Morton (Maddie), Everett Morton, Kelvin Morton (Kaylee) and Elise Morton. Becky is also blessed with countless (seems like!) cousins, nephews and nieces.

Becky was predeceased by her first husband, Jim Shinn; her parents, Charles and Clyde Phelps; her step-father, George Wyatt; her in-laws, Jim’s parents, Otis and Elsie Morton; and grandsons, Eric Ronald and Alex Morton.

Becky’s journey could not have been as blessed without Christy Wilson, Miracle Sanchez, Connie Matthews, Jennifer Whittfield, Dr. Kevin French and his staff, and 3HC Home Health and Hospice. Thank you all!

Yes indeedy! God had a plan!

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Beaufort by the Sea Community Church, Straits Methodist Church or 3HC Home Health and Hospice.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.