Morris Lee Murphree, 91, passed away in Memphis, TN, on November 6, 2020.  He was born on August 5, 1929, to a farming family in Bruce, Mississippi. He liked to tell stories about going to school in a one room school house.

During his time as a firefighter in the Navy, Morris traveled the world on ships. He went skiing in Japan and watched waves crash over the decks of an aircraft carrier. In the early 1950s, Morris moved to the "big city" of Memphis, drove a streetcar, a bus, and a merry mobile, and became a fireman. He married Jean, the love of his life, and raised his family in Memphis. After retiring from the Fire Department, he enjoyed a varied career driving trucks and buses for several organizations.

Morris was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish for bass, catfish, and crappie. He spent many summers at his Pickwick Lake, cabin water skiing and boating with family and friends. Morris was always prepared for any situation and always carried his pocket knife, just in case. He used to joke that if he had his pants on, you knew he had his knife with him. He enjoyed traveling, all the good things in life, and he was always the first to go for dessert after dinner.

A devoted Christian, Morris was a member of Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, MS, and was actively involved in his Sunday school class, helping in the in baptismas, and greeting at the church.

He was preceded in death by Jean Linton Murphree, his beloved wife of 65 years, his father Clyde Murphree, mother Maudie Burt Murphree, and stepmother Ludie Porter Murphree, a son Victor Murphree, a granddaughter Calista Jean Whitten, sister Bernice Sykes, and brothers Eltis Murphree, Prentiss Murphree, and Dennis Murphree.  Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Sherry Murphree Whitten (Michael) of Killen, AL, and son Christopher Murphree (Penny) of Florida, brothers JD (Martha) Murphree and Gayron Murphree, dear sister-in-law Faye Williams, and many nieces and nephews.  Mr. Murphree was blessed with two grandchildren, Meredith Whitten, and Crystal Murphree.
In light of current health threats, a small graveside service will be held Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 2:00 pm Forest Hill South. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials may be sent to Longview Heights Baptist Church Mission Fund, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.