Michael "Mike" Wayne Morris

Mike Morris, age 64, was born on January 22, 1962 and passed away on April 21, 2026. While his given name was Michael Wayne Morris, he was also lovingly known as “Mike, Daddy, Unc, Mikey Ray and PaPaw”.His life was full of love. He was a cowboy in the very early years chasing his parents on the rodeo circuit. As he grew up, his childhood was full of baseball, dirt bikes, camping, dune buggies, playing football for LHS Tigers and severe amounts of mischief. His friend Albert says he simply cannot disclose all of the antics but most were at least lawful. He fell in love with music and was an avid guitar picker. He could sing as well as he could pick, though he didn’t want anyone to hear him. He loved the beach and all that goes with the sand, surf, and sun, including Jimmy Buffett music. He was a pro hydro slider and rumor has it he drove a VW beetle on to a frozen Beech Lake with his best friends. His love of the water was most evident when operating his beloved Mastercraft official pace boat. He was once a very convincing alien back during the UFO sighting days. Just ask his cousins, Marty and Tony. He followed in the footsteps of his father, with his chosen career in the wholesale tobacco and grocery distribution. A job he held until his retirement. After all the silliness of youth, he and his bride, Rena, became the parents of Jon and Matt. He passed to them his love of music and they often played together. He also enjoyed coaching their youth ball teams. He and Rena remained best friends and wonderful co-parents despite their lives going in different directions. He once again dabbled as a cowboy when the boys were young, raising and training horses. Later in life came the precious gift of Abby, the apple of his eye. She filled his every waking moment. Shortly thereafter he was blessed with the gift of grandbabies and he cherished playing with them like he was still a kid. He never met a stranger and was the most caring and compassionate man. He sent his Mother flowers every year on his birthday and idea he stole from his baby sister, the same one he enjoyed torturing throughout their childhood. In his defense, he delighted in spending time with his loving Mother. Mike was loved so much by us all, but especially by Jesus who died for him. If we have to give him up, there is nothing better than the knowledge that he is safely in the arms of our Savior. Mike enjoyed serving as a Gideon and cherished his work sharing the good news. Though his life was robbed of him by dementia, his family finds comfort knowing he is healed and together again with his father whom he idolized He is survived by his mother, Virginia Morris; 2 sons, Jonathan Morris (Cristina) and Matthew Morris (Rachel); 1 daughter, Abbie Morris; the devoted mother of his children, Rena Duke Bledsoe; 1 sister, Shelly Booth (Brent); 5 grandchildren, Ethan Morris, Liam Morris, Georgia Morris, Tegan Morris, Jessie Morris; 2 step grandchildren, Tyler Riffle and Katelyn Acred; 2 nieces, Alex Weatherly and Blair Booth Janan; 1 nephew, Blake Booth; 1 great nephew, Jaxon Bernard; and 1 great niece, Chandler Bernard. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Morris. Funeral services will be on Thursday, April 23 at 1PM at Reed’s Chapel with burial to follow in Center Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4PM-8PM and Thursday from 11AM until service. Reed’s Chapel

Michael "Mike" Wayne Morris

January 22, 1962 - April 21, 2026