Andy Lee Morris, Jr.
October 15, 1934 — November 19, 2017
Andy L. Morris, Jr., age 83, husband of Dorothy H. Morris of Arlington, Tennessee, died November 19, 2017.
A Celebration of Life Service were held at 1 P.M. Friday, November 24, 2017 at Cornerstone Assembly of God Church at 5998 Elmore Road in Southaven, Mississippi. Interment was private. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.
Born October 15, 1934, in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Andy and Clara Morris.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Carol Allen of Bakersfield, California; children, Terry Morris Strickland (Andy); Andy Lee Morris III (Laura); and Donna Morris Doss (David); stepchildren, Marlis Ketrow, Rhonda Houser, and Denise Horton; grandchildren, Michael Harms, Andy Morris IV, Matthew Morris, Alec Morris, Dakota Doss, Montie Doss, Rachel Megan Carpenter, Laura Lyon, Daniel Mitchell, Blake Mitchell, Christopher Houser and Logan Doolin; five great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.
One of 11 children, Andy grew up in both Arkansas and California. A child of the Great Depression, his family moved to California where they picked fruits, vegetables and cotton. Unlike the “Arkies” and “Okies” portrayed so sadly in the “Grapes of Wrath,” Andy’s stories were filled with love and fun as the Morris family settled in the Bakersfield, Calif., area. It was during this time that Andy learned to play the guitar, a pastime he enjoyed throughout his life and shared with his grandchildren.
As a young man, Andy played and sang at both clubs and in churches. He later wrote songs and performed with The Gospel Traveliers, a Christian singing group. Although Andy contemplated becoming a professional musician, he opted for the more financially secure life of an agricultural seed salesman and worked in that field for more than 50 years, not permanently retiring until he was 81 years old. Andy worked for a number of companies on both the West Coast and throughout the Mid-South. Andy was the recipient of numerous professional awards and served three consecutive years as president of the Arkansas Seed Dealers Association. He was held in high esteem throughout the industry.
Andy enjoyed hunting and fishing, gardening, singing, dancing, playing the guitar, and telling stories. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time with them.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the American Heart Association, 2170 Business Center Drive, Suite 1, Bartlett, TN 38134.