Reverand Dr. Samuel Oliphant Morris III

Reverend Dr. Samuel Oliphant Morris III entered the church triumphant peacefully Monday, April
3. Sam was born December 19, 1944 in Charleston, South Carolina to the late Erma Kate
(Kitty) and Samuel Oliphant Morris, Jr. After moving to Meridian at an early age Sam graduated
from Meridian High School in 1963 and then entered Millsaps College as a ministerial student.
In 1966, he graduated with a B. A. from Mississippi State University. He then attended Asbury
Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky where he was awarded a Masters of Divinity in 1970. He
earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in
1991.
A gifted preacher and teacher Sam was also a dedicated, loving and caring pastor. For many
persons, Sam was a father, friend, brother, mentor, teacher, preach, rabbi, youth pastor, and
pastor. The hallmark of his ministry was his passion for the people and geography of the holy
land. Over the last 35 years, he led over 70 trips to Israel and Palestine introducing the land of
the bible to an immeasurable multitude of pilgrims. Sam dedicated his life to helping seekers
and disciples alike explore the mysteries of faith and devotion.
Sam pioneered the youth group movement in Mississippi Methodism in 1970 as associate
pastor and youth director at Alta Woods United Methodist church in Jackson, MS. As a gifted
musician and singer, he built a significant youth group in a short period of time which was
distinguished by the youth performance group JOLAS: Jesus Our Lord and Savior. He later
served in similar capacities at First UMC Corinth, Shreveport, and Starkville. Countless youth
responded to Sam's preaching and teaching with confessions of faith. Many of them went on to
become pastors, Christian educators, and youth directors. Almost all had life changing
experiences because of Sam's influence.
In 1982 Sam was appointed as pastor in charge of Leland UMC. Under his leadership, the
church experienced unprecedented growth leading to him becoming Sr. Pastor at Clarksdale
UMC in 1986. In 1989, Sam became the preacher and Executive Director of the United
Methodist Hour the Mississippi conference's ministry of Radio and Television. Under his
direction, the ministry reached audiences across the nation.
In 1995, Dr. Morris was appointed as the lead pastor of Galloway Memorial and served the
historic capstone church of Mississippi Methodism until 2002 when he was appointed lead
pastor at First UMC Columbus from which he retired in 2012. Following his retirement from
pulpit ministry, he served as president of the Jerusalem Institute for Biblical Exploration.
Sam possessed a vibrant and magnetic personality that attracted persons of all ages. He
effortlessly and easily established deep meaningful relationships with persons of all faith and
walks of life. As a faithful and dedicated servant of the gospel, Sam strived for peace and
justice in all things.
Sam is survived by his wife of 49 years Judy, four sons Sam (Elinor), Isaac (Jynger), Abe
(Hanna) all of Madison and Jonathan of the home. A brother Frank (Laura) of Pompano Beach,
Florida; and six grandchildren; Samantha, Katherine, Lilly, Luke, Liam, and Junnah.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Friday, April 7 from noon
until 1:45 at St. Matthews UMC in Madison. A service of Resurrection and Remembrance will
follow at 2:00 p.m. The reverends Andy Stoddard and Rocky Miskelly will officiate.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity your choice.