Dr. Lawanda McDuffey Morris, 40, died Tuesday January 19, 2016 at the Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Services for Dr. Morris were held on Wednesday January 27, 2016 at North Pleasant Hill Church in New Hebron with Pastor Moses Johnson officiating. Interment was in the North Pleasant Hill Cemetery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Morris was the only daughter of Philemon McDuffey and Gaynell Magee McDuffey of the New Hebron area of Lawrence County. At an early age she joined the North Pleasant Hill M. B. Church and remained an active and faithful member until she moved from the area, and submitted to watch-care in Hattiesburg at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Dr. Morris served her Lord and Church faithfully as a choir member, Chairman of the Jurris McDuffey Scholarship Fund, as well as many other ministries in the church.

Dr. Morris graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1993 prior to attending Hinds Community College. Upon the completion of her degree, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, in route to earning her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Mississippi in Jackson.

In 1998, Dr. Morris married Vander LaPatrick Morris of New Hebron, and to this union one child was born, Jordyne Nicole Morris.

Dr. Morris’ survivors include her husband Vander L. Morris of Hattiesburg; her daughter, Jordyne also of Hattiesburg; one stepdaughter, Kerria (William) Wade; father, Philemon McDuffey; Mother Gaynell McDuffey, both of New Hebron; one brother, Phillip P. McDuffey of Detroit, MI; and a number of other relatives and friends.