High Priestex Mortellus

Mortellus is a trans non-binary mortician, ordained clergy, and internationally best-selling author who once ran away and joined a circus. Born and raised in Rutherford County, North Carolina, where they still reside, their upbringing instilled both a grit for showing up when it's hard and a passion for helping others.

They are the founder and acting chair of the newly organizing (and not yet official) Rutherford County chapters of the Interfaith NCDP, and LGBTQ+ Democrats of NC. In May 2025, they also founded Indivisible Rutherford NC, recognizing that the county lacked a chapter of its own. Since 2015, Mortellus has led The Coven of Leaves in Rutherford County, expanding its work to include a mutual aid branch, The Rutherford Aid Network. Their volunteerism stretches back to 2001 and includes hospice work, running an interfaith food pantry, statewide Indivisible organizing, and 25 years of ongoing grassroots service.

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Lots of people ask if the mononym Mortellus is their "real" name and the answer is yes! In their faith tradition clergy take on a chosen spiritual name at ordination. Is it the name they were given at birth? No.​ Is it on their passport? Yes.

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Image by Eliza Bell