Obituaries for Wed., June 7, 2017, edition

Published 5:05 pm Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Mark Daniel Harrison

Brewton

Mark Daniel Harrison passed away on June 2, 2017.

He was born in Marietta, Ga., on March 15, 1960, to George Henry and Lettie Elleanor Pearson Harrison. He has one sister, Teresa Lynn Harrison Caudle. He grew up in Smyrna, Ga., Eau Gallie, Fla., Huntsville and Brewton.

He was an athlete. He started Peewee football at age eight and played quarterback on two championship teams. In junior high and high school, he started in football, baseball and basketball.

He was a scholar. At T.R. Miller High School in Brewton he studied the more difficult courses to prepare himself for college. After graduating in 1978, he began his studies at Troy State University.  In 1979, he transferred to Auburn University where he earned his bachelor of science degree in architecture.

He was a professional.  He began his architecture career in Birmingham. After being diagnosed with myotonic dystrophica at the age of 28, he found the physical requirements of architecture to be too difficult. So, he decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in engineering.

After completing a bachelor of science degree in engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, he began a 10 year career as an environmental engineer with the Alabama Department of Emergency Management in Montgomery. He built a home in Montgomery and was able to live independently until retiring due to his health in 2011.

He was an artist. He began studying art at the age of 13 and enjoyed creating works of art his entire life. He was a painter, a photographer and a potter. He created elaborate mobiles and constructed many one-of-a-kind works of art in various mediums. He photographed Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, the ruins of Sierra Ancha, the cliff dwellings of the Salado Pueblo Indians as well as lighthouses, bridges and churches on the east coast.

He was a traveler.  While at Auburn, he studied in Mexico and fell in love with the culture. He climbed the Myan ruins at Chitzen Itza and visited Taxco, San Cristobal and various other cities.

He was a collector. During his travels, he collected bells and wind chimes by Paolo Soleri in Arizona and various sculptures, carvings and textiles from Mexico. He enjoyed his collection of Stickley furniture and lamps as well as his Tonka Trucks and California Raisins.

He was a poet. He didn’t write very many poems but they honor his mother, his father and even his beloved cats. His style of writing was both humorous and emotional and was perhaps as close as he came to expressing his feelings for those he loved.

He was a unique individual. He appreciated beautiful plants, pretty girls and good cooking. His mom’s apple and lemon pies, homemade waffles and hash browns and potatoes and gravy were among his favorite dishes.

“We rejoice as a family that Mark is now walking and running in heaven, throwing a football and enjoying all his favorite things. He is with his Savior, his Dad and his grandparents celebrating the life he lived bravely and the eternity he will spend in heaven.”

Barbara Ann Merritt Morris

Flomaton

Barbara Ann Merritt Morris, 77, passed away on Mon., June 5, 2017, in Dothan.

Visitation will be Thurs., June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Fri., June 9, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be James Merritt, Robert Merritt, Travis Merritt, Jake Merritt, Joshua Merritt, Zach Merritt and Lloyd Curtis.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.

She was a native of Pensacola, Fla., and former resident of Clayton, and has resided in Flomaton, most of her life. She was of the Catholic faith. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and caregiver.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Morris; parents, Elmer and Mary Felton; a son, John Elmer Merritt; one brother, James E. Felton; and one half sister, Betts Felton.

She is survived by her three sons, Lee (Dawn) Merritt of Pollard,

James (Amanda) Merritt of Blue Springs, and Robert Merritt of Ozark; one daughter, Christine (John) Curtis of Flomaton; two half sisters, Teri (Scot) Cannon, and Margie (Dr. Robert) Wark, both of Seattle; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a special friend, Nathan Jackson of Flomaton.

William Ellis Hayes

Mansfield, Texas

William Ellis ‘Will’ Hayes, 46, of Mansfield, Texas, passed away on Sun., May 28, 2017, at his home.

Graveside services will be held on Fri., June 2, at Union Cemetery with Bro. Cavin Cawthon and Bro. Todd Ray officiating and Craver’s Funeral Home of Brewton directing.

He was a native of Georgia, a former resident of Montgomery, Charlotte, N.C., and Memphis, Tenn., before residing in Mansfield for 10 years. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama with an MBA, a University of Alabama alumni with honors and treasurer of the Organ Guild Association. He worked as a comptroller with International Paper Company.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert C. and Evelyn Marie Hayes; and his maternal grandfathers, Carnell W. Nolin and Sim Ellis Ogletree.

He is survived by his parents, Ronnie and Sandra Hayes; maternal grandmother, Annie Ruth Nolin, all of Brewton; aunt Billye Jo Burns of Pace, Fla.; and a number of cousins, aunts, uncles and other family members.

Share your memories and condolences with the family at craversfh.com.