Tributes

New Iberia - ROBERT WAYNE “BOB” MORPHIS MARCH 2, 1943 – JUNE 13, 2024 A private memorial service will be held at a later date for the immediate family. The family asks that you share any fond memories of Bob by clicking the “Memories” tab on his obituary so that they may enjoy them later. The world was forever changed on March 2, 1943, when Robert Wayne “Bob” Morphis was born to Reese Lowery, Sr. and Ella Elizabeth Burgess Morphis in Lake Village, Arkansas. Bob was one of seven children in the Morphis family. As sharecroppers, their homestead was meager, but filled with love and laughter. There was always a hot meal on the table after a scorching day of picking cotton. Leftover biscuits, wrapped in flour sack dishcloths, were taken to school in metal buckets and eaten for lunch the next day. After formal schooling, Bob joined the U.S. Air Force. Before leaving for Boot Camp, he met Jo Ann Pitts, who would soon become the other half of his timid heart. While waiting to leave for Boot Camp, Bob was the “victim” of a gunshot wound to the leg during a hunting trip with Jo’s cousin. Many stories circulated about the exact cause of this wound. Tales ranged from “running from a pack of wolves” to “wrangling with snakes and grizzly bears”. To this day, we don’t know what REALLY happened, but the grandkids could push on the scar and PawPaw would growl like nobody’s business! Bob’s future mother-in-law was a staunch Christian woman who kept a close eye on Bob and Jo’s budding romance, but because he was so shy, she didn’t have anything to worry about. It took Jo not one, but TWO proposals for Bob to agree to marry her! They wed in July of 1966. By this time the infamous gunshot wound had healed, and they headed to Arkansas for Bob to continue his tour in the Air Force. While they were stationed there, they welcomed their favorite oldest daughter, Angelia “Angie” Marie. After being honorably discharged as a Jet Aircraft Mechanic, Bob and Jo made their way back home to care for Jo’s ailing mother. During this time, Bob worked as a Master Mechanic. There was absolutely nothing he could not fix. In 1982 Bob and Jo welcomed their late-life child, Amy Lynn, who set the world on its ear. She was loud and Bob, Jo, nor Angie knew what had hit them. She had the lungs of an air horn! Coincidently, soon after Amy was born, Bob began going to church! He received the gift of the Holy Ghost and was baptized in the name of Jesus! He loved Jesus with all of his heart. Known for his laid-back personality and immense love for his family, Bob never complained. Life wasn’t kind to him during the last few years of his life, but he always kept a positive attitude. In 2017 he was diagnosed with Dementia. He held on as long as he possibly could, but this cruel disease was unrelenting and no respecter of any family or person. We still hold on to the belief that even though there was nothing audible, he knew when his sweet wife or grandchildren and daughters were in the room. Bob had only been home a few hours from the hospital on June 12th before he was surrounded by his grandchildren along with his sweetheart, Jo. It got really loud as they giggled and laughed recalling stories from their childhood, and, for a short time, it seemed all was right with the world. During the early morning hours of June 13th, he took his final, peaceful breath. Bob is survived by his sweetheart and best friend of nearly 60 years, Jo Ann Pitts Morphis, 2 Daughters, Angie Morphis Laneaux (Ricky), Amy Morphis, 6 Grandchildren, Megan K. Faris, Morgan K. Cormier (Aaron), Garrett A. Laneaux (Katie), Cheyenne A. Meche Jr., Avery M. Meche, Fischer M. Meche (PawPaw’s Favorite),4 ½ Great-Grandchildren, Remington Rose, Norah Kyle, Finnley Paul, Austin James, and a sweet baby girl to arrive in September. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Reese Lowery Sr. and Ella Elizabeth Morphis, and Mother-In-Law, Lola Pitts. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests that you take time to visit or call someone you haven’t seen or heard from in a while. It gets very lonely without any contact from the “outside world”. Your call or visit is worth more than a million dollars or a dozen roses. A note from Angie: My precious daddy was lovingly cared for 24/7 for the last 7 years by my mama and my sister. They selflessly put everything aside to make sure his needs were tended to while I worked and I will be eternally grateful. I will never be able to repay everything they have done or given to make Daddy more comfortable. I love you both."

Tributes

Robert Wayne Morphis

March 2, 1943 - June 13, 2024