Barrett H. Morris

Barrett H. Morris AKA "Bear", 80 of Chattanooga, TN passed peacefully into his Heavenly Father's Presence on August 29th, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Nathan R. and Charlotte R. Morris; sisters, Marchelle (Catherine Moore) Morris, Jenniver Strassberg; stepson, M. Shawn Burton; nephew, Joshua Zipperer. May they all rest in peace.

His surviving family includes his dedicated wife of 57 years, Beverly Morris, daughters, Shana Morris and Stacy Morris; grandchildren, Alexis Williams and Laiken Williams; great grandson, Judd Brackett; brother, Evan Morris (Gayla Griffith); niece, Shauna Rosenbaum; nephew, Aaron Strassberg.

Barrett was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN to the late Dr. N.R. and Charlotte R. Morris. He attended Brainerd High School and was known throughout the region for his athletic abilities. He played football defense, track and field, javelin and shotput, wrestling and held the weightlifting title at Brainerd High for 25 years! He also won the Chubby Checker "Twist" dance contest.

In 1968 he married Beverly Saluk along with caring for his stepson M. Shawn Burton. They owned a small neighborhood market in downtown Chattanooga for a few years. Later he attended Chattanooga State and received a degree in nuclear technologies. He then began his 14 year career with the Tennessee Valley Authority until he retired as a teacher of radiation safety.

In 1969 their first child was born, Shana and then in 1971 Stacy came along. At this point the family moved to Ringgold, GA on his parents farm on Battlefield Parkway. The family resided their for 25 years until the farm was sold in 1996.

In 1981, Barrett purchased 2 Merv's restaurant locations, one on Mountain Creek and the other East Brainerd Rd. Both daughters helped manage the earlier years, then Stacy Morris took over the business fully on Mountain Creek Rd. Now his granddaughters Alexis and Laiken continue the Mervs Legacy. His late nephew Josh Zipperer designed the logo for the restaurant.

Barrett was very outgoing and the life of the party at all gatherings. He enjoyed nothing more than to have a delicious meal topped off with a desert filled with chocolate and peanut butter, Snickers and Reese's were his favorite.

He also loved his pets, especially cats! BB was his all time favorite!

He always stayed up to date on the world news and of course Israel. He was very proud of his Jewish heritage.

Barrett Morris will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. May he Rest in Peace in the Presence of his Creator.

Please join the family for a graveside service being held on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 at 1PM at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East on Shallowford Rd., Chattanooga, TN. Rabbi Craig Lewis will be officiating the service.