Funeral services for Mr. Kenneth Earl Morris, age 81, of Carthage, TX, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Cocklin officiating. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Morris passed away on Thursday evening, Feb. 18, 2010, in Tyler.

Kenneth Earl Morris was born on June 9, 1928, in the Snap Community of Panola County, TX to J. L. D. and Edna Bailey Morris. He graduated from Gary High School. Mr. Morris married Freda Smith on July 2, 1949, in Atlanta, TX and she preceded him in death in June of 1999. Mr. Morris worked overseas as a barge superintendent for Brown & Root and for John Woods Smith Construction as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Carthage. Mr. Morris was also preceded in death by his parents; one son, Michael Morris; and two brothers, Donald and Adolphus Morris.

Mr. Morris is survived by one son, Christopher Earl Morris of Carthage and special friend, Terri Terry of Lufkin; four brothers, Gregory Morris of Carthage, Billy Morris of Tyler, Bobby Morris of Tyler, and Anderson Morris of Carthage; two sisters, Phala May Nail of Carthage and Jane Trimble of Dallas; and his special granddaughter, Krystal Nicole Morris and her mother Tammy Lynn Morris both of Carthage.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Nancy Haygood and the entire staff of Hospice of East Texas as well as Dr. Ferguson for the loving care shown to Mr. Morris during his illness.

Serving as pallbearers are Richard Anderson, Billy Cockerham, Jerry Morris, George Trimble, Dudley Morris, and Roland Nail.

If desired, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 208 S. Market, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.