Wanda Morris

Wanda Louise (Hall) Morris passed away peacefully on November 4, 2020.  Wanda was born on August 8, 1939 in Marshall, Texas to Sam Wilson and Mary Locker Hall.  After graduating high school at 17, Wanda moved to Shreveport where she attended and graduated Business School.  She worked for an insurance company in Shreveport until a high school friend set her up on a blind date with a Lieutenant in the Air Force.  Wanda and Earl J. Morris Jr. were married on September 26, 1964 and celebrated 56 years of marriage this year.  With the marriage, she received a ready-made family because Earl was a widower with two children.

Wanda and Earl began their life together in Little Rock.  Being a military wife suited Wanda; she quickly joined and became involved in the Officers Wives Club.  As their family grew, Earl was stationed at several bases around the country.  The first move was to Merced, California, then to Limestone, Maine and the final military move was back to her old stomping grounds of Shreveport, Louisiana.  Wanda would often say her favorite was Loring AFB in Maine.  Initially, she dreaded moving there thinking of all the snow, but she said it was the most social of any of their assignments.  Earl often said Wanda was a big reason he retired as a full Colonel.  She was supportive, active and willing to get involved.

When Earl retired from the Air Force, they moved to Lake City, Florida.  That’s where Wanda’s volunteer life really began.  She joined Altrusa International, The Garden Club, and she managed the Lake Shore Hospital’s gift shop for several years.  Wanda had always been crafty, but in Lake City she flourished.  She won several blue ribbons in flower shows for her floral designs, and she began quilting.  Her quilts are pieces of art, all hand stitched with great precision.  Lucky family members have a quilt made with love from Wanda/Mom/Grandmother/Great-Grandmother.

Tennis was another passion for Wanda.  Earl and Wanda took several trips with friends to Hilton Head, North Carolina for tennis weekends.  Wanda’s competitive nature came out on the tennis court.  Those that played tennis with her knew to watch out for her down the line shot, usually a winner!  Wanda and Earl entered several tennis tournaments and earned their share of trophies.  With Earl’s drop shot and Wanda’s net play, they were the dynamic duo.

Wanda and Earl moved to Conway, Arkansas in 1999.  Wanda had always paid attention to politics, but she became active in Conway.  She joined the Faulkner County Republican Women’s Club and worked tirelessly on numerous campaigns for candidates she supported.  One thing about Wanda, if she was involved, she usually was in a leadership role.  She was the President of the Club for several years.  She made several good friends through her associate membership in the North Pulaski Republican Women’s Club as well.  These ten friends had a name for themselves, “THE BROADS”.  They had a common purpose and they thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company.

Wanda often said one of her greatest joys was seeing how happy and successful her children and grand children were.  She loved babies, if there was one in the room, before long it would be in her arms.  Hosting family events was one of her favorite things.  She loved to cook and bake, so there was always an extra casserole and cake or two in the freezer…just in case!

In addition to her parents, Wanda is preceded in death by her two brothers, Sam Wilson Hall Jr. and Jon Wesley Hall.

Wanda is survived by her husband, Col. (Ret) Earl J. Morris, Jr.; her four children, Gloria Ann Mayo (Mitch), Earl J. Morris III (Becky), Monica Claire Keohane (Jeffery) and Matthew Raymond Morris (Caroline); her ten grandchildren, Max and Zach Mayo, Earl IV and Robert Morris, Kendall, Shannon and Donovan Keohane and Lauren, Jessica and Brian Morris; her two great granddaughters, Charlotte and Aubrey Mayo; and her sister Peggy Evelyn Webster of Ore City, Texas.

Visitation is 10-11:00 AM on Monday, November 9, 2020 at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home 404 W. Dewitt Henry Drive, Beebe, AR 72012 (501) 882-5412.  Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, 1504 North J. P. Wright Loop Road, Jacksonville, AR 72076.

State of Arkansas COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required at all times, maintain social distancing.