Phyllis Morris

Phyllis Doss Morris, 85, of Salem, Va., passed peacefully from this world on Monday, December 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeter Morgan and Geneva Young Doss; her son, Robert Craig Morris; and granddog, Prissy.

Phyllis was born in Franklin County, Va., and was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Roanoke, Va. She graduated from the Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse and served compassionately for over forty years as a private duty nurse, ER nurse, Clinical RN, and also an "Ask A Nurse" Medical Information Operator. As a devoted nurse she worked tirelessly to care for patients, offer comfort, and save lives.

Phyllis was proud to have attended the Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association events and treasured the friendships of her fellow nursing classmates. In addition, she always looked forward to attending the Salem Retired Teacher's Luncheons with her husband, Bobby, and sharing time with the members in attendance. Together through the years the devoted couple attended Ridgewood Baptist Church.

She enjoyed the benefits of the culinary talents of both her husband and son, looking forward to the next wonderfully prepared meal and the time they shared together. Before her health began to fail, she and Bobby enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Mexico, taking in the sights and enjoying the local cuisines, always being excited to return home for Bobby to prepare many of the dishes they had eaten while traveling.

Phyllis possessed the unique talent of being a true and loyal friend. She was a genuine listener, she remembered your name, recalled the smallest details of a person's life, and always made a point to communicate with those close by and those who had moved away. Never wanting to forget a friend or acquaintance she was excited to hear from someone from her past experiences.

She and Bobby were married for sixty-one plus years and always told the story of how his mom was their matchmaker when Phyllis was a nurse for his mother. Many times she expressed her care and concern about Bobby and Craig as they began to give more and more of their talents and time to her medical needs.

Phyllis Doss Morris is survived by her husband, Bobby George Morris, of their home in Salem, Va.; her cousins, Janet G. Bolling of Rocky Mount, Va., Anna A. Dyer (Reggie), and Barbara D. Walker (Loren), both of Salem, Va., and Linda M. Young of Glen Allen, Va.; and nephew, Sammy St. Clair (Cindy) and niece, Kaleigh Fanning (Brad), of Rocky Mount, Va.

The family wishes to extend its appreciation to the home caregivers, HCA medical professionals, and the caring hospice-trained clinicians at the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House.

There will be no visitations or a service at this time as requested by Phyllis.

If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please do so to one of your personal choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

"The House By The Side Of The Road"
By Sam Walter Foss

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.