Leslie Neal Morris, 75, of De Leon, passed away Monday, March 16,
2015. He was born March 31st, 1939, in Gorman to William Monroe
Morris and Blanche Thornton Morris. Neal married Lugene Rogers in
1968 in De Leon.

Neal was baptized and was a member of St. Joe Baptist Church of De
Leon. He was a farmer all of his life, first working with his father
and later with his sons. He loved to work and to help. Neal enjoyed
farming and working with cattle. He farmed various crops throughout
the years including: peanuts, watermelons, coastal hay, pecans and
enjoyed planting grass sprigs throughout the county. Neal raised
bottle calves, Angora goats and in his later years Angus cattle. He
dearly loved running his bulldozer, clearing and reclaiming the land.

In his spare time, Neal had many hobbies including feeding his
catfish, tending to his vineyard and making wine. He enjoyed reading
and researching various topics and had a true passion for learning.
Neal also enjoyed going to the coffee shop each morning with his
closest friends.

Neal belonged to several organizations over the years and was always
actively involved in his community. He was a member of the De Leon
Independent School Board for three terms including one term as
President. Neal belonged to the Livestock Association, was President
of the Farmers Union and was a Sunday school teacher at St. Joe
Baptist Church for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Lugene; daughter, Kay Hodges and
husband, John; daughter, Donna Knapp; son, Leslie Morris and wife,
Janet; son, Bryan Morris and wife, Carrie; grandchildren, Kimberly
Herrington and husband, Wade, Kacey Hodges and fiancé, Rodney Mann,
Kristopher Hodges and fiancé, Taylor Shutter, Kelan Hodges, Kelsey
Hodges, C.J. Rodgers, Eli Terry, Meredyth Morris, Beau Morris, Brooke Morris and Bryant Morris; great-grandchildren, Luke Herrington, Zach Herrington, Cole Herrington and Aiden Rodgers; brother, Charlie Morris and wife, Betty; sister; Nina Painter; and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Neal was preceded in death by his father, William Monroe Morris;
mother, Blanche Thornton Morris; brother, James "Bug" Morris;
twin sisters, Niti D. and Liti B. Morris; and brother-in-law, Lonnie Painter.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March 19, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at
First Baptist Church of De Leon with Brother Barry Schahn, Brother Jackie Auvenshine and Brother Daniel Harper officiating. Graveside services followed in Oliver Springs Cemetery.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 6931 Arlington Road, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or charity of your choice.