Dr. Melvin Douglas "Doug" Morris Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The Rev. Doctor Melvin Douglas “ Doug, Scoop” Morris of Erwin, TN died Saturday, December 14, 2019 at home surrounded by his family. Dr. Morris was also a Lord in Witherslack, UK. He was a well known newspaper reporter, editor and publisher and authored several books on Tennessee history and B-Western Heroes. He had an extensive B-Western collection, beginning when he was a child… a cowboy at heart. Dr. Morris served newspapers, Daily- Gazette Mail in Morristown, The Knoxville Journal, Monroe County Advocate, Rogersville Review, Roane Newspapers and Clinton Courier-News. He also was editor of Tennessee Valley Outdoors in Greeneville. Doug traveled to Venezuela with Stan Brock and Jack Hanna to reintroduce two jaguars back into the wilds. He was instrumental in placement of cameras in courtrooms. Doug interviewed scores of Presidents, Vice-Presidents, movie stars, singers and dignitaries. His favorite writings were about the common person. He was interviewed by Jeremy Paxman, highly acclaimed newsman of the BBC. Dr. Morris was a Mason and Shriner having eared his 50-year pin. He served on many Tennessee Press Association Committees, presided over several Chamber of Commerces and was one of the organizers of Rogersville’s 4th of July Celebration and frequent speaker for events, festivals and conventions. Doug is survived by his wife, Lady Judy Taylor Morris of Witherslack, England and Dunans, Scotland who he met in the woods at a murder scene while working for competing newspaper; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Shawn “Sam” Morris and Diane of Erwin; grandchildren, Rachel Morris Cameron and husband, Dustin of Morristown, Shawn Michael Morris of United States Air Force, Special Services and Ayden Mason Morris of Erwin. He was anticipating the birth of Rachel’s twin daughters in January. Doug died with his faithful companion, Mirror his Parson Jack Russell on his lap. He was preceded in death by parents, Jim and Irie Morris, brother, Beecher; sisters, Geneva Hope and twin sisters, Ivalene Bruce and Ovalene Mathews. A Celebration of Life Service for Doug will be conducted at 6:00 PM Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Maranatha Tabernacle, Unicoi with Pastor E.L Wheeler and Mr. David Penley officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 5:00 PM until the service hour. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, December 20, 2019 in the Hamblen Memory Gardens, Morristown, Tennessee. For those attending this service you are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 AM. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Oasis Group of Maranatha Tabernacle, 122 Timberridge Road, Erwin, TN 37650. Condolences may be made online at www.wadugger.com. Woodall-Anderson and Dugger Funeral Home, 108 W. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City is serving the Morris family. 423-928-2245

Dr. Melvin Douglas "Doug" Morris

September 29, 1942 - December 14, 2019