Dr. Herbert Tolman Morford, age 81, passed away on February 13, 2015, after a brief illness. Funeral services were held February 17, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home in Prentiss.

Rev. Susan Bear and Rev. Ken Roberts officiated. Pallbearers were Dr. Billy McKinley, Dr. David Richardson, Dr. John Henson, Dr. Rickey Akins, Dr. James Fitchie, and Dr. Ramsey Earl Wilson. Honorary pallbearers were graduates of University of Mississippi Dental School.

Dr. Morford was a native Nashvillian and was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Theodore Morford and Helen Hawkins Morford.

Dr. Herbert Tolman Morford attended Sewanee: The University of the South, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. After graduating dental school, Dr. Morford spent the next 15 years in private practice in Nashville.

In June of 1976, Dr. Morford joined the staff of the University of MS Dental School as a professor where he taught restorative dentistry for 23 years. During his tenor at UMC, Dr. Morford was honored by the students in being selected “Teacher of the Year” seven times. His students and peers genuinely loved Dr. Morford.

He belonged to the American Dental Association, Mississippi Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association and the Nashville Dental Society. Dr. Morford was also honored by being inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Upon retirement from the University of Mississippi Dental School, he was honored as Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Morford was an insatiable reader. His desire for knowledge was never squelched. He particularly had a love for Civil War history.

In the latter days of his life, he became engrossed in researching his family genealogy. This stemmed from his fascination with the knowledge that a family relative, Lewis Morris, was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Dr. Morford was an avid animal lover his entire life, and had a special love for his dachshund named Emo.

After serving with the Marines as a young man, and upon arriving in Mississippi, Dr. Morford joined the MS National Guard. He served 23 years and retired as a brigadier general.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sue Morford; his daughters, Dibrell Morford and Morre Morford McCollum (Mike); three grandsons, Will, Clarke and Sam. He also leaves behind an older brother, Theodore Morford IV (Marie); and two stepsons, Lance Leonard and Wes Leonard. He is loved by his family, many friends, and the students he had the privilege of teaching.