STEPHEN LEE MORRIS (STEVE),

66, of Ferndale, was born in Searcy, Ark. on September 17, 1954. He passed suddenly and unexpectedly November 19, 2020.

He was gifted with extraordinary mechanical abilities. Steve emerged from his childhood of being the go-to fix-it man in the house to discovering his calling as a woodworker. After his mentorship with a master California cabinetmaker, Steve moved to Little Rock where his craft was widely sought. Because he was such a quiet man, the extent of his creations was not known until after his death. Clients throughout Arkansas and other states have raved about the quality of his work. Few people knew his woodworking also included hobbies of making musical instruments such as guitars or mandolins (used by several Little Rock area musicians). Using wood, he acquired from his mission trips, he made gifts of beautiful hand-crafted pens, trays, and jewelry.

A long-time member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Steve took his skills to construction projects for disabled church members and for mission churches, including New York and Jamaica. More than a decade ago, he found a real calling in Haiti. In addition to building numerous cabinets, tables, pulpits and other items that were beyond the skills of local workers, Steve lead and taught teams of local Haitian artisans and US volunteers in the construction of schools, dormitories, shops, bakery, and other projects on the Haiti Christian Development Project farm. His indefatigable work continued even after returning home as he stored items in his own shop and prepared tons of relief supplies for shipment for use in schools and education efforts in Haiti.

He is preceded in death by parents, Paul W. and Imogene Morris; brother, Jerry Paul; sister, Wilma Shinley, and nephew, Robert Mark Story.

Steve is survived by his wife, Karen Whittenberger Morris; daughter, Elizabeth; son, Joshua; grandson, Jordan; brothers, John Morris (Liz) of Searcy and Donald Morris of Memphis; sisters, Patsy Story (Ken) of Searcy, Catherine Clifford of Cleburne, Texas, and Deborah Morris of Little Rock; aunt, Carolyn Weaver of Riverside, Calif.; six nieces and nephews; 14 great-nieces and great-nephews; and many extended family and friends.

Memorials made to Haiti Christian Development Project to honor Steve’s joy and passion for vocational missions, P.O. Box 21119, Little Rock, Ark. 72221.

Visitation will be at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. Friday, November 27 with the family present from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, November 28 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Spring Valley Cemetery in Ferndale. We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal