Ronald Merle Morrison

Ronald Merle Morrison passed away on Feb. 27, 2016 at the age of 69 from complications with heart surgery. Merle is survived by his wife, Lissa Morrison; his three daughters, Althea Wiles, Sophia Stephenson and husband, Jacob and Lyla Morrison; his sister, Becky Morrison Foote; grandchildren, Adrian Wiles, Nile Stephenson, Max Stephenson and Simon Stephenson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Merle was born on Dec. 28, 1946 in LeCompte, La. to Kenneth Merle Morrison and Doris Williams Morrison. Merle spent his childhood in Louisiana. He attended LSU where he received a degree in philosophy. While there, he met his wife, Lissa. They were married on the first day of spring in 1971. Nine years later, the family moved from Louisiana to Arkansas, where they built a home and began Family Garden Nursery, a wholesale landscaping company. They continued to run this business until 2010 when Merle "retired" and started making beautiful handcrafted cypress furniture. A great storyteller, sweet husband and loving father and grandfather, he enjoyed time in nature and could always been found watching the sunset from his front porch. People will remember him as kind, soft spoken and intelligent. He was loved by everyone who met him, and he will be dearly missed. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.