Paul Curwood Morris, age 88 of Columbia, MS passed away on November 3, 2018 at Marion General Hospital. He was born on May 21, 1930 in Marion County, MS to Shuyler and Eva Morris as the oldest of four boys. He and his brothers, Tony, Sam and Jerry grew up in the Improve community where their mother kept them busy so they would stay out of trouble. Apparently, it worked. He finished high school at Improve before spending two years at Pearl River Community College. In 1951, he enlisted in the army and spent most of his active duty in Germany during the reconstruction after WWII.
Upon his discharge from the Army, he married Juanita “Jim” Morris on September 18, 1954 and worked for Haliburton Oil Co in Harvey, LA for five years. After this, he went to work for Newsom Brothers Construction in Columbia, MS where he worked until the company closed. Afterwards he joined T.L. Wallace, where he worked until his retirement in 1998.
Mr. Morris was a deacon and faithful member of Improve Baptist Church which he attended since a very young age. He was also a loyal supporter of Columbia Academy and was a faithful attendee at most sporting events until his health prevented him from doing so. He was a firm believer in charity and hard work. There are many in the community who have benefited from his faith in what God can do with a willing soul.
Mr. Morris was preceded in death by his brothers, Samuel Morris and Jerry Morris; and a nephew, Michael Morris. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Paula Haddox (Gerald), and Pam Thornton (Tony); a son, Art Morris (Debbie); brother, Tony Morris; six grandchildren, Michael Thornton (Oksana), Garrett Haddox, Russell Thornton (Monica), Brian Haddox, Drew Haddox, and Emily Thornton; and seven great-grandchildren, Haley, Hunter, Brinlee, Presley, Audrey, Tehya, and Oliver.
Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Improve Baptist Church, with Reverend Darel Daniels, and Reverend Johnathan McLemore presiding. Interment will follow at Improve Baptist Church Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Clay Broom, Joey Burt, Chip Griner, Morris Lowery, Randy Lowery, Kendall Morris, Paul Pace, and Kenny Price. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Bass, J L Broom, Dale Morris, George Rawls, and Doyle Lyn Robbins.
Gifts in memory of Mr. Morris’ life may be made to Improve Baptist Church, 2979 Hwy 44, Columbia, MS 39429, The Children’s Village in Madison, MS at www.childrensvillage.org, or The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
