Dr. L. L. Morriss 1920-2009
Dr. Lester Lee Morriss, 89, passed away on May 1, 2009, in Longview, Texas. Dr. Morriss was born in Tyler on March 5, 1920, to Simon D. and Stella Robinson Morriss. After graduating in January 1938 from Tyler High School, Morriss attended the College of Marshall (now East Texas Baptist University) and finished degrees at Baylor University (B.A.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He served during and after World War II in the U. S. Army Chaplains’ Corps and held Captain’s rank at discharge in December 1952. He was married to Faye Hutton of Tyler from August 25, 1938, until her death on June 16, 1993. On February 1, 1997, he married Mary Baldwin Dean. A preacher from the age of 15, Morriss was ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1938 and served as a pastor to various Texas churches, including at Judson, Cayuga, New London, Cameron, Baytown, and the First Baptist Churches at Mt. Pleasant and Midland, the last for over twenty years. He served as Director of the Evangelism Division, Baptist General Convention of Texas (1975-1981) and Director of the Christian Education Coordinating Board (1981-1985) before his retirement.
Dr. Morriss was a denominational servant as Chairman of the BGCT Executive Board, Chairman of the BGCT Human Welfare Commission, President of the Baptist Training Union of Texas, and Parliamentarian for the Southern Baptist Convention for five years; as a trustee for East Texas Baptist College, Howard Payne University, Baylor University, and Dallas Baptist College; and as a field supervisor for the Southwestern Seminary Doctor of Ministry program.
Dr. Morriss was active in civic affairs through the Midland Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Family Counseling Service, and was Chaplain of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas in 1970. A noted writer and much sought-after speaker, he wrote numerous articles for denominational periodicals and a book, The Sound of Boldness (Broadman, 1977). A member of the International Platform Association of America, he spoke at numerous civic meetings, cowboy camp meetings, Baptist assemblies and campgrounds, and denominational conventions. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Baptist Men in 1970, the W. T. Tardy Alumni Award for service from East Texas Baptist College in 1978, and was twice awarded the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedom Foundation. The University of Mary Hardin Baylor, East Texas Baptist College, and Baylor University each conferred honorary doctorates on him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert C. Morriss and Thomas D. Morriss, infant twin sisters Dorthy and Doris Morriss, and his first wife, Faye. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his son Lester Lee Morriss, Jr., and wife Andrea, Birmingham, Alabama; grandsons Marc Morriss and Cris Morriss of Birmingham; great-granddaughters Skylar Morriss and Madeleine Fhawn; step-children Jim W. Dean (Cathy); Bob H. Dean (Ellen); Debra Summers (Jerry); step-grandchildren Jennifer Dean, Brent Dean, Brian Dean, Stephanie Dean, Curtis Summers (Crystal), Julie Summers Jones (Ryan); step-great-grandchildren Abigail and Laura Summers.
Visitation will be on Monday, May 4, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road, Longview, Texas. Funeral Services will be conducted at First Baptist Church, Longview, Texas, on Tuesday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hwy 67 West, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Pallbearers will be the grandsons and step-grandsons. Ministers conducting the Memorial Service and the Graveside Service will include Rev. Bill Cathey, Dr. Clint Davis, Dr. Bob H. Dean, Dr. Jim Denison, Rev. Charlie Jackson, and Dr. Tim Watson. Memorial donations may be made to East Texas Baptist University or Hearts Way Hospice of Northeast Texas.