The family will receive friends from 12:00pm until 2:00pm on Monday, October 23, 2023 Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. The funeral service will follow at 2:00pm that same day in the funeral home chapel with burial afterwards at Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
He was born on July 29, 1944 to the late Earl Morris and Flora Mae Stevens Costilow in New Hebron, Mississippi. An esteemed Freemason, Gene made a living as a diesel mechanic but also humbly prided himself in his ability to repair everything from small engines to heavy equipment. After retirement from Yellow Freight, he went on to start his own business, GM Sand Gravel & Dirt, LLC. Gene very much enjoyed driving his dump truck. Though his family questioned if this could really be defined as "retiring", he was genuinely happy doing what he loved. Gene had true musical talent and often could be found singing and playing the guitar. Otherwise, he worked in his garden tending to vegetables ensuring to provide for family and friends. Gene spent his free time either hunting or simply hanging out with his family - which included his human relatives as well as his precious canine companions.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all three of his siblings, Oliver Morris, Earline Roberts, and Etoile Jenkins; niece, Sherli Morris- Frith, and great-nieces, Amber Morris-Frith and Gabby Morris.
Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Bonnie Smith Morris of Leesburg, MS; daughters, Karon Netherland, Toni Bynum, Ella Craft of Pearl, MS; sons, Charlie Nelson, and Ellis Nelson of Leesburg, MS ; grandchildren, Bridgett McDonald, Britney Cochran, Brooke Quick, Jessie Bowman, Austin Nelson, and Kasey Goolsby; 15 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of many dear nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
While his family rejoices in knowing he is fully healed and with our Father in Heaven, Gene will be so deeply missed.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baldwinleepearl.com for the Morris family.
