Harold Morris
Harold G. Morris, 89, passed away peacefully at Wisteria Garden Nursing Home in Pearl on Jan. 11, 2024. He was born on April 19, 1934, to Beatrice Ball Morris and John Butler Morris Sr. in Lyman. Harold was the youngest son and next to youngest child with one older sister, Mary B.; two older brothers, Sonny and Fred; and a younger sister, Mildred. Harold’s father was a depot agent for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad and moved his family to Taylorsville in 1936, where Harold attended school through the third grade. The family moved to Mendenhall in 1943, where he attended school, participating in football, class politics, and playing semi-pro baseball. The family home was built in the late ‘40s, and he became a Christian and was baptized May 14, 1950.
After completing high school, he enrolled in Co-Lin Junior College and transferred to Mississippi College after his freshman year. He played football for MC and lettered two years for the Choctaws. Harold met his future wife at MC when she was a freshman and he a sophomore. They dated until he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education degree and was drafted into the Army. They were married when he was released on leave on Dec. 22, 1956.
Harold was released from active duty on July 22, 1958, and he and his family began his career of coaching and teaching. He coached and taught at Carr Junior High School in Vicksburg, where his first son, Bruce, was born. From there, he went to Clarksdale, Hollandale, and Monticello, with his other son Mike being born in Hollandale.
At the end of 1969, Harold accepted the position as headmaster for Copiah Academy and Patsy as the school secretary/bookkeeper. The family made their home in Gallman there from 1970 through 1983. These were incredibly happy times for the family and remained so throughout the years. Harold finished out his career with principal jobs at Canton (83-86), Ethel (86-89), and Raleigh (90-94). He felt like professionally his two biggest accomplishments were helping to build a championship football team at Monticello and helping to build Copiah Academy into the best school in the state.
Harold was a faithful member and deacon at First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs for over 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice and John B. Morris Sr.; his older sister, Mary B.; his two older brothers, John B. Morris Jr. (Sonny) and Fred; and his loving wife, Patsy.
He is survived by his two sons, Bruce and Mike; his five grandchildren, Amanda Andrews, of Clinton; Stacy Collins, of Chattanooga; Amanda Morris, of Wilmington, N.C.; Rachel and Jonathan Morris, of Crystal Springs; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for Jan. 18 beginning with visitation at Stringer Funeral Home in Crystal Springs from noon until 2 p.m., followed by a short service at 2 and then travel to Mendenhall Cemetery for a family graveside service.
He made a difference.
