Barbara Ann Morris
87, Hattiesburg
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at Hathorn Funeral Home for Barbara Ann Morris, 87, of Columbia, who died on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Hattiesburg. She was cremated and her urn will eventually be buried next to her husband at Improve Baptist Church.
Born in Seattle, Washington on Dec. 13, 1930, to Ethel and Francis “Frenchy” Malarky, she was the eldest of two children. Frenchy was killed in an auto accident while Barbara was still a toddler. Eventually, her mother, Ethel, married Arnold “GI Joe” Kilian and the children, Barbara and her younger brother, Robert (Bobby), took his last name. Joe was a career military man, serving in the U.S. Air Force, so Barbara spent her years growing up moving from base to base around the country. One of those bases was in Mountain Home, Idaho, where, at the age of 20, she met a young sergeant named Robert B. Morris.
In spite of her father’s objections, she accepted a dance request from the young sergeant and six months later they were married on March 22, 1952. They had two children, Karen Teresa (Terri) and Robin Ann. Bob Morris was also a career military man, so Barbara continued a life of moving from base to base. Throughout this time, she took care of the family, becoming very involved in her daughters’ lives. She was a band mom, a swim club mom, a Girl Scout leader, a Luther League chaperone, a Bible School teacher, volunteered on numerous field trips and so much more. She managed to be both a mother and a friend to her daughters, doling out discipline when necessary and hugs when needed. Bob chose his last assignment at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, and the family settled permanently in Merritt Island, Florida. Barbara became an office manager for Haverty’s Furniture Store, working there for over 25 years. When she finally retired, there were threats of duct tape and a chair. I’m not sure what that was all about. Bob was volunteering as a driver for Meals on Wheels and Barbara joined him on her retirement. She continued driving and delivering meals after Bob died in April 2007.
Shortly after Bob died, Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In April 2008, it became apparent she could no longer live on her own. She moved to Decatur, Alabama where her oldest daughter, Terri, could take care of her. In Decatur, Barbara joined St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and attended church and Sunday school as long as she was able. As her disease progressed, she moved from her daughter’s home to an independent living facility, to an assisted living facility, to a memory-care unit, and finally to a nursing home. At each facility, the staff and several other residents commented on how sweet she was. “She’s no problem at all”. “We love her around here.” “You can take her out but you have to bring her back.” “You sure have a sweet momma.” “Yes, ma’am, I sure do.”
On Nov. 1, 2017, Terri moved permanently to Hattiesburg and Barbara moved with her. She maintained her sweet nature right up to the end.
She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Robin Ann Lingle, and her husband, CM Sgt. Robert Benton Morris.
Survivors include her daughter, Terri Morris; brother, Bobby Kilian; grandchildren Erin, Sam and Travers Lingle, and a host of friends and relatives.
If you would like to honor Barbara’s memory, please send a donation to your local Meals on Wheels program or make a donation to a charity of your choice. A good one would be Blood Water Mission. Barbara would like that.
