News & Announcements
In Memoriam: 2018 Distinguished Service Award Recipient Dr. Toxey Morris
Posted: February 21, 2019
author: Benjamin Morris
With love and gratitude for his exceptional life, the family of Dr. Toxey Michael Morris of Hattiesburg, MS, announce his joyful entry into the kingdom of heaven on Saturday, November 24, 2018.
Born on September 27, 1938, Dr. Morris was a native of Hattiesburg, MS, where he graduated from Hattiesburg High School as valedictorian of the class of 1956. After studying microbiology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, he entered Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA, where he earned his M.D. in 1963. Following his internship at Confederate Memorial Hospital in Shreveport, LA, his residency in general surgery was interrupted by the conflict in Vietnam. As a young surgeon Dr. Morris joined the United States Navy as First Medical Officer aboard the USS Tripoli (LPH-10), proudly serving one tour of duty from 1967-1968 in the waters of North Vietnam. Commanding the hospital wing of that vessel during combat operations, he and his team treated wounded servicemembers and civilians alike, for which he received the Navy Commendation Medal among other awards. Following this tour, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and maintained his commitment to the armed forces for many decades afterwards.
Following his return to civilian life in 1968, Dr. Morris completed his residency in urology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS, and returned to his hometown of Hattiesburg to enter private practice. In 1971 he joined the Hattiesburg Urology Clinic, after which he founded the Urology Center, P.A., in 1976, where he practiced until his retirement. As a physician, his skills were peerless; in a career of over fifty years, countless men and women came under his care. A tireless innovator to his colleagues and his patients alike, he pioneered among numerous other techniques the use of lithotripsy in urologic practice in Mississippi, transforming the management of kidney stones in this region.
Among his professional honors were his service as President of the Mississippi Urologic Society (two terms), a term on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (SESAUA), and a term as Chairman of the Membership Committee of the SESAUA. Recognizing his contributions, the SESAUA awarded Dr. Morris its Outstanding Achievement and Service Award in 2007, as well as its Distinguished Member Recognition Award in 2018. He was a member of the Mississippi State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a volunteer physician for the American Red Cross, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other organizations.
Dr. Morris is preceded in death by his parents, Toxey M. Morris and Dorothy C. Morris, a daughter, Mary Catherine Morris, and his sister-in-law, Laura W. Blackwell. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Virginia W. Morris; his two sons, Robert M. Morris and Dr. Benjamin A. Morris; his brother and sister-in-law, John Alan and Ann Morris; his grandchildren, Ashton and Alexander Hill; his daughter-in-law, Sabree Hill; his brother- and sister-in-law, A.F. and Mary Joe Wicke; and his niece and nephew, Stephanie Morris and John Wilson Morris.
As a follower of his Lord, Dr. Morris was faithful and obedient, humble in the gifts he had been given, possessing a quiet but a sincere and devout heart. As a husband his adoration was unfailing; as a father his example was matchless; as a grandfather his generosity was limitless; as a son his affections were total; and as a brother, his respect was mutual and steadfast. It is simply not possible to say how much he was loved, nor how much he will be missed.
Services [were] held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 30 at First Presbyterian Church at 4901 Hardy Street in Hattiesburg. Visitation [was] from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, November 29 at First Presbyterian Church, and again at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning also at First Presbyterian Church. As education was a lifelong passion, memorials may be made to the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA, or to the scholarship fund at Presbyterian Christian High School, 221 Bonhomie Road, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401.