Obituaries

Leroy Morris was born April 15, 1935, in Rosston, Texas, to Willie B. and Dorothy Lee (Roberts) Morris. Leroy’s paternal grandparents were Joseph C. and Sallie (Carlton) Morris, and his maternal grandparents were Nimrod and Katie Lee (Evans) Roberts, all of Decatur, Texas. Leroy was the middle brother to, and survived by Willie “Dale” (eldest), and wife Melvadean; and Jack Darwin and wife Delores. Leroy married his Alvord High School sweetheart, turned bride of 66 years, Sylvia Clydena “Dena” (Berry) Morris, on his 19th birthday, in 1954. Together they raised 3 children: DeAnna, Donald, and Douglas. Leroy and Dena resided in many Texas towns throughout their marriage, including Alvord, Decatur, Gainesville, Fort Worth, Haltom City and Newark. Two sales jobs he boasted most about, Sunshine Biscuits and Shasta Cola, took him traveling all over the south throughout the 1950’s and 60’s. At one point, Leroy and Dena owned their own grocery store, “Leroy’s Cash and Save Grocery” in Alvord. Before retiring, Leroy served as Tax Assessor for Alvord ISD from 1980-1997. Leroy, or as his grandkids called him, “Pop Pop” was known for giving the best hugs and handshakes that almost hurt! That was very telling of his personality, that he was passionate about life and most especially his beloved Dena. Leroy enjoyed boats, being Baptist, Fords, the Bible, playing football when he was younger, watching football games later in life, fishing-especially with his boys, Donald and Doug- and he was a proud Mason for 57 years and a Shriner for 46. Leroy is survived by his wife, Dena Morris, of Gordonville; daughter DeAnna Leopold and husband Mark; son Donald Leroy Morris and his wife Lois: and son Douglas Robert Morris; Granddaughters Veronica Cameron Bruce and husband Ben; Rachel Cameron-Wright and husband Zeb; Jamie Morris and husband Travis Smith; Elizabeth Dobie and husband Chris; and grandson Jacob Morris and Melissa; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by two grandsons, Joseph Alan Morris, and Joshua Caleb Cameron. You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.