Sam Hale Morris passed away on July 28, 2013 in Houston, Texas following a long battle with heart and lung disease. He was born in Ballinger, Texas on March 30, 1929 to Sidney and Selma Morris. He moved to Franklin, Texas early in life and was a star athlete for Franklin High School, even playing football in college for two years. He worked for GATX for over 30 years as a welder and was respected throughout the company for his ability to weld any metal. In retirement, he loved tending his cattle and his land, and bragged that he had a 27 cow ranch. He got to live his dream and live at the lake for a few years and loved to fish for crappie. Sam loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Sam loved people and reveled in giving small children a penny and telling them God bless you. He could be seen on many days looking for change on the ground outside stores and when he found a coin with the head up, he read the inscription on the coin and recited "In God we trust and Jesus Christ is my Savior". He loved the Lord. Sam never met a stranger and said everyday was a good day. He was affectionately referred to as Mister Sam and by family as Paw Paw Sam. Sam was a member of the New Baden Baptist Church and a Mason.
He was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife Verna Katherine Morris, longtime partner Leoma Schoonover, and numerous brothers and sisters. He is survived by one brother, and sons, Sammy Morris, Ronnie Morris (Lea Dale), Sid Morris (Sylvia), and daughters, Linda Suggs (Phil), Carol Favors, Cynthia Hudson (Jimmy), Mendy Morris, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 from 6pm to 8pm at McCauley Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, at 11am at the New Baden Baptist Church. Graveside services will be at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Derrick Favors, Neal Favors, Cody Sanders, Mike Bynum, Wayne Miller, Leslie Ramin. Honorary pall bearers will be Ricky McNair, Blake Miller, BJ Alvers, Carl Crisp, and Charles Barnett.
Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin, Texas