Leslie Neal Morris Obituary
Leslie Neal Morris, 75, of De Leon, passed away Monday, March 16, 2015.
He was born March 31st, 1939, in Gorman to William Monroe Morris and Blanche Thornton Morris. Neal married Lugene Rogers in 1968 in De Leon.
Neal was baptized and was a member of St. Joe Baptist Church of De Leon. He was a farmer all of his life, first working with his father and later with his sons. He loved to work and to help. Neal enjoyed farming and working with cattle. He farmed various crops throughout the years including: peanuts, watermelons, coastal hay, pecans and enjoyed planting grass sprigs throughout the county. Neal raised bottle calves, Angora goats and in his later years Angus cattle. He dearly loved running his bulldozer, clearing and reclaiming the land.
In his spare time, Neal had many hobbies including feeding his catfish, tending to his vineyard and making wine. He enjoyed reading and researching various topics and had a true passion for learning.
Neal also enjoyed going to the coffee shop each morning with his closest friends.
Neal belonged to several organizations over the years and was always actively involved in his community. He was a member of the De Leon
Independent School Board for three terms including one term as President. Neal belonged to the Livestock Association, was President
of the Farmers Union and was a Sunday school teacher at St. Joe Baptist Church for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Lugene; his daughter Kay Hodges and her husband John; his daughter Donna Knapp; his son Leslie Morris and wife Janet; his son Bryan Morris and wife Carrie; grandchildren, Kimberly Herrington and husband Wade, Kacey Hodges and fiancé Rodney Mann, Kristopher Hodges and fiancé Taylor Shutter, Kelan Hodges and Kelsey Hodges; C.J. Rodgers and Eli Terry; Meredyth Morris; Beau, Brooke and Bryant Morris; great-grandchildren Luke, Zach and Cole Herrington;
Aidan Rodgers; a brother Charlie Morris and wife Betty; a sister; Nina Painter; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Neal was preceded in death by his father William Monroe Morris; his mother Blanche Thornton Morris; his brother James “Bug” Morris; brother-in-law Lonnie Painter; and twin sisters, Niti D. and Liti B. Morris.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 19, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of De Leon followed by graveside services at Oliver Springs Cemetery. Family received friends Wednesday, March 18, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 6931 Arlington Road, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered online at www.nowlinandersfh.com.