LEOLA — Jewel Roy “Grandpa” Morris,

a veteran of WWII, passed away at the age of 100 in Little Rock, on Friday, Feb. 2,

2024, surrounded by family.

Born Oct. 31,

1923 in Crawford County, Jewel spent his youth in Kibler. In 1941, while in college, the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jewel proudly enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves. He was then commissioned a naval officer after receiving his MBA from Harvard. Soon after, Jewel was assigned to the USS Clermont in the South Pacific for seventeen months.

Following his military service, Jewel opened a furniture store in Fort Smith, and later developed Arkansas’ first indoor shopping mall, Phoenix Village Mall. Jewel obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying to business meetings. He loved flying and found excuses to fly ie: picking up a grandchild from college or taking them to lunch and some shopping.

Jewel’s greatest passion was for Jesus, witnessing to family, friends and bringing thousands around the world to know Christ. His steadfast faith and love for The Word was rooted in being the son of a Baptist preacher. He was a member of many Baptist churches throughout his years, including Grand Avenue Baptist and First Baptist, both of Fort Smith. Jewel was a Gideon and an active member of Campus Crusade for Christ Ministries. His passion for missions led him to more than 40 countries, sharing the good news. He saved thousands of souls simply by asking: “Do you know if you died today that you would go to Heaven?” Then let me tell you about my best friend, Jesus.” Jewel’s last mission trip was along the Amazon River at the age of 96.

Jewel is preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Homer Jewel Morris (Nita) of Kibler; and three wives, Pansy Marie Morris, Eva June Morris, and Gail Nelson Morris.

Jewel is survived by his sister, Elwanda Morris of Cedar Park, Texas; his son, Roy Jerome Morris of Little Rock, and his granddaughters, Megan Morris Janes of Little Rock and Kelli Morris Cronk (Ryan) of Indianapolis; his daughter, Jimmilea Berryhill (James) of Malvern; his grandchildren, Tanja Knight (Greg) of Tulsa, Russell Berryhill (Rachel) of Little Rock, Audra Estep (Brian) of Las Vegas, Jon Berryhill (Angela) of Malvern, Jonathan Thurson (Kim) of New York City, Martin Thurson (Tonya) of Maryland, and Nathaniel Thurson of Arizona. He is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A celebration of Jewel’s life will be 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with a military burial to follow at Morrison Cemetery.

The family will visit with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Campus Crusade for Christ: The Jesus Film Project at www.JesusFilm.org.

To place an online tribute, go to www.edwardsvan-alma.com.