Henry Irvin Morris

Henry Irvin Morris, 88, departed this life and was welcomed into his heavenly home on October 12, 2025. Irvin was born in Kennett, Missouri on May 19, 1937 to Duward Melvin “Buster” Morris and Bessie “Marie” Ray Morris. He was a 1955 graduate of Piggott High School. During his high school years, Irvin was involved in basketball, baseball, and served as a member of the FFA, and was named Beau of his FHA chapter. 

Irvin grew up working alongside his Dad and three brothers on the farm. He learned at an early age the value of hard work that benefitted him throughout his life. Irvin was an active member of the communities in which he lived. His beginnings of service include opening Morris Dry Goods and then extending his services to the opening of a self-service grocery store, Morris IGA, which led to the chain of community stores named Farmers Market, a very successful entity with a total of nine grocery stores that served multiple communities in Northeast Arkansas. 

From his retirement in 1993 until present, Irvin continued to work in developing real estate investments, which included malls, storage facilities, multi-family apartments, and single family homes in Arkansas and Florida, that continue to be utilized today. 

His lifetime accomplishments also include memberships in the Lions Club of Piggott, Board member of Piggott Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Masonic Lodge, a founding member of Lake Street Mission, a member of the Paragould Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Paragould Industrial Committee and Leadership Paragould. Irvin also sat on the boards of El Matador Condominium complex and The Nautilus Condominium Facility in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Irvin most recently served as the working President of The Enclave HOA. 

Irvin enjoyed being able to serve those around him. Irvin loved serving in his church. He led in roles such as Sunday School teacher, Music Director, and aided in establishing the General Baptist Headquarters. He very much enjoyed singing in a quartet of he and his brothers, traveling to share the gospel through music. 

Irvin also enjoyed various hobbies such as traveling the world, spending time in 6 of the 7 continents and earning his pilot’s licences. He loved a good prank and he loved to laugh, but his greatest joy was time spent with his family. Irvin worked tirelessly investing in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He spoke words of affirmation, love, joy, understanding, grace, mercy, and scripture into the lives of his family. He made it clear, despite all his tangible successes, his family and their relationships with Christ was his most cherished. His resounding life statement is this, “God has been good to me all my life,” and what a life and legacy he lived. 

Irvin is preceded in death by his parents, his wife and mother of his children, Shelbye Jean Morris (March, 1996), wife Mary Sue Morris (March, 2019), daughter Shelley Marie Morris (July, 2015), and brothers, Gerald Morris, James Morris, and Gary Morris. 

Irvin is survived by wife Patty Latham Morris of the home, son Keith Morris (Karen), son Craig Morris (Donna); grandchildren; Misty Deondra Merritt (Ben), Keiah Hunt (Marcus), Savannah Morris Coplin (Dakota), Sam Morris, Shelbye Jones (Dustin); great-grandchildren, Macyn Merritt, Addison Merritt, Brylee Hunt, Colson Hunt, and Raegan Jones. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm with a celebration of life beginning at 1:00pm at Harvest Baptist Church in Paragould, Arkansas.