Cliff Morris

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Clifford Beanum "Cliff" Morris, 75, of Sikeston died Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at his home.

He was born July 12, 1926, in Mississippi County, son of Clifford Keasler and Eva May Justice Morris. He and Carol Maxine White were married May 20, 1950, at Chaffee, Mo.

Mr. Morris was an agent with State Farm Insurance 35 years. He was selected in the mid-1970s to represent State Farm as its featured agent in its national magazine advertising campaign.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sikeston Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Elks, Eagles, and a 50-year Mason. He moved to Sikeston in 1950 from Ridgway, Ill.

He was a technical sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Clifford B. and Christine Morris Jr. of Eldorado, Ill., Kenneth Lee and Charlotte Morris of St. Charles, Mo.; a daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Dan Kelleher of Boerne, Texas; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Edgar and Margaret Morris of Mobile, Ala., Dr. David and Nannette Morris of Sikeston.

Also surviving are two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruby and Orville Lankford of Memphis, Tenn., Pearl and Adolph DeBoard of Wood River, Ill., six grandchildren, Clifford III "Kip" Morris of San Francisco, Calif., Tiffany Morris of Overland Park, Kan., Bethany Morris of Eldorado, Blaine (Sherri) Morris of Austin, Texas, Valerie and Marshall Morris of St. Charles.

He was preceded in death by a brother, R.L. Morris of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters, Carrie Raben of Ridgway and Opal Nicholson of Memphis, Tenn.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5 to 9 p.m. today. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. William F. Koch and the Rev. Sandy Schaller will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be LeRoy Heaton, Percy Clippard, Donald Wall, Eugene Morris and Earl Hutchison.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church of Sikeston.