Morris Simpson, Jr.

Morris Simpson, Jr age 88 of Manila, AR died Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Jonesboro with family by his side.  He was born in Calhoun City, Mississippi, August 31, 1930 to the late William Morris and Clara Harrellson Simpson.  He moved to and was raised in the Blackwater Community south of Manila, Arkansas.  He was a U.S. Army veteran and he then became a self-employed farmer.  “Junior”, as most would call him, received Jesus Christ into his life in 1949 at Blackwater Baptist Church where he was a member at the time of his death.  He went on to be very active in Church for the remainder of his life and he served in many capacities including being a song leader for over 40 years and he was ordained as a Deacon in 1988.  He retired from farming in 1987 and went on to retire again from the Manila Public Schools as a maintenance worker and bus driver.  He then moved to Jacksonville, Arkansas in 2000 and eventually retired for the third time as a maintenance worker for the Victory Baptist School in Sherwood before returning to Manila, Arkansas in 2010.

In addition to his parents, Morris Simpson, Jr., was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years Louise May Simpson, by his two brothers, John and J.B. Simpson; and by four sisters, Lottie Stockton, Evelyn Lippford, Guelda Deason and Nella Lee.

He is survived by his son, Kevin “Bart” Simpson and his wife Jade of Jacksonville, Arkansas, by four grandchildren, Whitney Hill and her husband Shawn and Travis Simpson both of Cabot, Arkansas, Austin Simpson and Casey Simpson both of Scotland, United Kingdom; by one great-grandchild, Ty Walker Hill of Cabot and a great-granddaughter on the way.

Morris also had numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-great nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives, and lives that he impacted, who loved him very much.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2019 under the direction of Smith-Sherwood Funeral Home located at 7700 Hwy 107 in Sherwood, Arkansas with Bro Jim Ward officiating.  The family will receive visitors and friends at the funeral home from 12:00-1:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Interment will follow services at Rest Hills Memorial Park located at 7724 Landers Rd., North Little Rock, Arkansas.