Funeral Services for Eva F. Morris, Age 85 of Alton, Missouri will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 in The Smyrna Cemetery, Alton, Missouri, beginning at 10:00 AM.
Arrangements under the direction of Always Faithful Memorial Services, West Plains, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Smyrna Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 263, Alton, MO. 65606.
The heavenly choir added a beautiful alto voice on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Eva Fern Morris went home to her savior after a long battle with leukemia.
Born on December 20th, 1940 to Willie Ray and Lena Christine (Holmes) Watson, Eva Fern grew up in the Smyrna community near Alton, Missouri. As a little girl she attended a one room school at her home church of Smyrna. She credited her love of learning to her teacher there, Miss Lula Harris, and went on to hold a master’s degree in education from Arkansas State University.
Eva Fern married Wayne Dotson in 1958 and had two children, Kelly Wayne and Scott Shelby. Wayne tragically died in a work accident in 1961 and their infant son Scott, born three weeks after Wayne’s death, passed away from medical complications only a few weeks after his birth. Eva Fern faithfully supported St. Jude Children’s Hospital all her life.
On December 11, 1961, Eva Fern and Bob Morris were married at St. Charles, Missouri. They had two daughters, Lisa Robin and Sondra Kaye, and one son, Matthew Shane. Through all of life’s ups and downs, Bob and Eva were married until her passing.
She loved children dearly and spent her career as an educator. Eva Fern taught Head Start at Couch, Missouri and Elementary School at Alton and Forsythe Missouri. Her devotion to her students was lifelong and she had a funny or sweet story about any and every child that she taught.
Eva Fern’s faith was incredibly strong and the only thing that mattered to her more than seeing everyone educated was seeing everyone in heaven. No matter how she knew you, rest assured she prayed for you.
Singing was as natural to her as breathing and she sang alto for the gospel group The Singing Relations with her Uncle Dwight Holmes, her brother Carl Watson and her son Kelly. It was always a blessing to hear her voice and very few things made her as happy as hearing her family sing.
Miss Eva loved Jesus, her family, the St. Louis Cardinals, plants, and bright colors. If you saw her out and about you almost certainly knew how much she loved one or all of them. Her selflessness and determination were such that she once had a mild heart attack on a family vacation and didn’t tell anyone because she didn’t want to ruin it. She will be dearly, dearly missed.
Eva Fern is survived by her husband of 64 years W. R. “Bob” Morris; her children Kelly (Alesia) Dotson, Robin (Michael) Evans, Sondra (Jeff) Cates, and Matthew (Brandi) Morris; her grandchildren Kacie Evans, Zachary (Megan) Dotson, Elliott Evans, Whitney (Chase) Chadwick, Alyssa (Caleb) Dawson, Ely Dotson (fiance Tori Maples), Lorelei Morris, and Annabelle Morris; her great-grandchildren Halle and Weston Dotson, Cutter, Charlee, Collyns, and Calent Chadwick, and Nora and Samuel Dawson; and too many nieces, nephews, in-laws, outlaws, friends and relations to count. She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Lena Watson, her brother Carl Eugene Watson, her first husband Shelby Wayne Dotson, her son Scott Dotson, and her great-grandson Miles Grant Dotson.
A graveside service will be held at Smyrna Cemetery, Alton Missouri, on Saturday October 3rd, 2026 at 2 PM with Bro. Jeff Cates officiating, followed by a celebration of life at the Thomasville Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend but if you’re thinking about wearing something somber, think again. Eva Fern loved bright, colorful clothes and you are encouraged to wear something snazzy. St Louis Cardinals gear would also be appreciated. She would’ve wanted it that way.
