Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023 in the
Lakewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Phenix City, AL with Reverend David Hardwick and William Pyron officiating. Interment to follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Eva was born in Columbus, GA on August 4, 1939 to the late Solon S. Morris and Edna Jackson Morris. She was the youngest of eight children and was affectionately called “Baby” by her father. Eva began her school age years at the “Old Brick School”. She would often tell us about playing paper dolls with her friends during recess at school. Some of her fondest memories of the farm life were, seeing her older siblings contributing and serving for the overall good of the family. Eva learned how to become an amazing cook while observing and helping her mother. She spoke of herself helping on the farm by feeding the chickens, gathering eggs and only once, milking the cow. Eva later attended Central Junior High, where she continued to make many new friends. She graduated from Smiths Station High where she was the head Cheerleader for the basketball team, there was no football team at this time. Eva spent her life ‘Cheering” on others and this became her spiritual gift of encouragement. It was during high school that she met her husband of 22 years, David Gray. Following high school, they were married and Eva served with her husband as a pastor’s wife. Eva spent the last 30 years of her career as the owner and operator of The Shirt Shack, serving Phenix City well. She was an avid Scrabble player and enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table as she had her quiet time and coffee. Eva’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would all agree that Eva always seemed to know the right thing to say.
Eva was a member of Central Baptist Church attending when she was able.
She was preceded in death by her husband and lifelong friend of 22 years David Wayne Gray, Sr. siblings, Vernon Morris, Conrad Morris, Sarah Morris Ethridge, Solon S. Morris, Jr, Aurelia Morris Booth and Gordon Morris.
Survivors include her three children, David Wayne Gray, Jr. (Marilyn) of Woodstock, GA, Sonya Jayne Pyron (Tim) of Phenix City, AL, and Dennis Morris Gray of Jefferson, GA. Four grandchildren, Timothy Eric Pyron, Brandi Leigh Whiteside (Josh), William Gray Pyron (Danielle) and Alisha Elaine Taylor (Matt), 5 great grandchildren, Joshua Johnston (Lindsey), Layla Pyron, Chloe Taylor, Ben Taylor and Maverick Whiteside, a brother, Clinton Errol Morris, Sr. of Smiths Station, AL, and a sister-in-law, Earline Morris of Smiths Station, AL.
