"Van Karlyle Morris, 64, of Florence, AL passed away on February 1, 2017. Van was born on April 13, 1952 in Pulaski, TN. He spent his formative years in Florence, AL and graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1973. He and his wife, Tessa, moved to Germantown, TN in 1980 where they raised their three children.

The most obvious characteristic of Van was his love for his family. He enjoyed any time spent with his children- especially time that included giving his grandsons rides on his tractor. He also enjoyed duck hunting, Lonesome Dove, his black lab named Gabe, and watching University of Alabama football.

Van is survived by his mother Elenore Henry and and stepfather Pete Henry, of Florence, AL; three children, Van Morris II, of Houston, TX, Adam Morris, of Germantown, TN, and Sarah Tennant of Louisville, KY; grandchildren Luke, Caleb, and Samuel Tennant; brothers John Morris and Phil Morris; and sister Lisa Brinkley. Van is preceded in death by his father, John Morris II.

A private ceremony was held for Van on February 4, 2017, in Florence, AL. In lieu of flowers, Van's family has asked that donations are made in his honor to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, a wonderful hospital that Van loved."