Wilburn Morrison

Wilburn Lewis Morrison, 85, of rural Jonesboro passed away Sunday, March 27, 2022 at his home.

Wilburn was born October 9, 1936 at Herget to Oscar Morrison and Charline Gaither Morrison. He attended the former Bay-Brown School District while chopping and picking cotton.

Wilburn dropped out of high school his senior year to “seek his fortune.” He and his best friend Dewayne Wileman joined the United States Army on the “buddy system.” He was stationed many places during his military tenure, his favorite of which was Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Following his honorable discharge, Wilburn returned to the cotton fields of Bay. He met his late wife, Joyce Ann Meredith of Harrisburg, and they wed February 16, 1962. They were married 54 1/2 years before she passed in 2016.

Wilburn and his brother, Howell, owned and operated the Lion Oil service station in Bay near where the Post Office now stands. The two would become lifelong business partners in many ventures. In 1966, Wilburn moved his family to Rockford, Illinois, where he worked as a machinist for Greenlee Brothers Manufacturing.

A real life Fred Sanford, Wilburn and Joyce owned and operated Morrison’s Antiques. During his off time from the factory in Illinois, Wilburn would go to estate sales and auctions. He would bring his finds back to Arkansas for Joyce to sell in their shop. Folks would come from miles around, often waiting on him and his truck to pull up, with his trailer laden with his latest load of treasures.

Wilburn was an accomplished individual in many skill sets. He raised a bountiful vegetable garden each year, from which Joyce would can and put up produce for their winter enjoyment.

Wilburn was a lifetime member of Bay United Methodist Church. He and Joyce enjoyed gospel music. They would watch the Gaither Vocal Band and other performers every Saturday night on television.

Wilburn loved manual labor. Even into his seventies, he could be seen dragging a push mower up and down the steep ditch bank on his property. Above all else, he worked hard, saved every penny he could, and loved his family deeply.

Wilburn suffered from Alzheimer’s for over 10 years. Before Joyce passed in 2016, sons Blaine and Derrick promised their mother they would care for Wilburn and keep him out of a nursing home for as long as possible. Blaine lived out their promise until his own death in 2020, and Derrick has fulfilled the same since Blaine’s passing. Wilburn passed away at his home and never spent a day in a nursing home. Both sons are to be commended.

In addition to his parents, wife, and son, Wilburn was preceded in death by his bother, Howell Morrison; stepfather, Bob Blalock, and an infant great-granddaughter.

He is survived by a daughter, Debbie Hinz of Arlington, VA ;

son, Derrick Morrison of the home;

three grandchildren he and Joyce raised as their own: Zach Morrison (wife, Summer) of Lake City; Nicole Jefferson (husband, Quinton) of Jonesboro; and Cassie Morrison of Harrisburg;

two grandchildren: Bill Hinz and Lindsey Hinz;

a sister and brother-in-law: Paula and Ed Martin of Bay;

Nine great-grandchildren: Kyleigh Bradley, Serenity Jefferson, Mia Jefferson, Zeny Dotson, Layla Henson, Holden Henson, Hollis Kate Henson, Peter Hinz, and Natalie Hinz.

A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Tony Huffman officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Emerson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time in the chapel.

Pallbearers will be Judge Scott Ellington, Ray Kidd, Paul Spencer, Darrell Spencer, Quinton Jefferson, and Chuck Wells.

Lasting memorials may be made to the Bay United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 219, Bay 72411.