Dr. Morriss Murphey Henry's Obituary
Dr. Morriss Murphey Henry of Fayetteville, Arkansas, lived by the timeless wisdom of John Wesley: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." Guided by his faith, Morriss found meaning in the parable of the Good Samaritan, teaching kindness and compassion for all, and in the Parable of the Talents, reminding him of the importance of hard work and using one’s abilities to uplift both family and community.
Born during the Great Depression, Morriss grew up in a home in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where dedication to service ran deep. His parents, Dr. Lewis Murphey Henry and Dr. Louise McCammon Henry—Arkansas’s first female ophthalmologist—founded the Henry Eye Clinic in 1933. Their example of perseverance and commitment to helping others shaped Morriss’s path early in life.
A pivotal summer spent hauling hay in Kansas cemented Morriss's determination to excel academically. He fast-tracked his education, graduating a year early from Fort Smith High School, Hendrix College, and the University of Tennessee Medical School, saving three years in total. After completing his ophthalmology residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Morriss served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1961, where he led a military eye clinic in Bitburg, Germany.
Returning to Fayetteville in 1961, Morriss opened a branch of his family’s eye clinic, continuing a legacy of compassionate care. His desire to one day serve in the legislature led him to pursue a law degree while building his medical practice. “If I’m going to make laws,” he often said, “I want to fully understand them.”
It was in Fayetteville that Morriss met Ann Rainwater. Struck by his “kind brown eyes,” it didn’t take long for Ann to realize he was the one, though it took Morriss two years to catch up. They married in 1964 and built a life centered around service and family, raising three children. Both Morriss and Ann earned law degrees in 1971—a testament to their shared commitment to learning and public service.
Many who know Ann would say that Morriss’s best decision was marrying her—and they’d be absolutely right. After retiring as associate dean from the University of Arkansas, she remains engaged in politics, environmental conservation, the Fayetteville Public Library, and, most importantly, cherishing time with her family.
Morriss was an early pioneer in laser eye surgery in Arkansas, quietly contributing to advancements in ophthalmology. His efforts extended beyond his clinic as he helped establish the Jones Eye Institute, and he was instrumental in bringing a medical school to Northwest Arkansas through his work on the UAMS Northwest advisory committee. As an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Morriss regularly traveled to Little Rock at his own expense to mentor the next generation of physicians. He served as President of the Arkansas Medical Society and the Jones Eye Institute Board, always striving to elevate the medical community.
One of Morriss’s most notable patients was Alice Walker, the daughter of a sharecropper from Georgia who had suffered an eye injury. Walker would later become the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for her novel The Color Purple. Walker’s biographer, Evelyn C. White, described Morriss as a humble, soft-spoken man, respected for his skill as a surgeon.
Throughout his medical career, Morriss cared for an estimated 40,000 patients before retiring at 86, though he was always quick to credit his success to the support of his team and family.
Public Service and Conservation
Morriss viewed his time in the Arkansas Legislature as a continuation of his dedication to serving others. He served as Washington County Coroner (1964–1966), State Representative (1967–1972), and State Senator (1972–1984). His efforts to improve rural healthcare, expand emergency services, and strengthen environmental protections, particularly around wastewater regulations, left a lasting impact. He championed tougher DWI laws, supported the creation of the state medical examiner’s office, and advocated for causes like organ donation, public television, and historic preservation.
By the time Morriss retired, he had served under six governors, including Winthrop Rockefeller, Dale Bumpers, and Bill Clinton. Despite many legislative accomplishments, one of his lasting regrets was Arkansas’s failure to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment—a cause close to his heart, inspired by his mother’s trailblazing in medicine and Ann’s commitment to equality and education.
One of Morriss’s most meaningful legislative achievements was his role in preserving the 12,000-acre Hobbs Estate near Beaver Lake. His efforts protected water quality and ensured opportunities for outdoor recreation for generations to come. Morriss was also a founding board member of the Arkansas Nature Conservancy and a lifelong supporter of the Fayetteville Lions Club, where he helped fund vision programs for over 60 years. His contributions earned him Life Member status, the highest honor from Lions Club International. Despite receiving numerous accolades—such as the Community Service Award from the Arkansas Alumni Association, recognizing unselfish and extensive service by alumni to their community and to humankind, the Eagle Award from the Washington Regional Medical Foundation, and the Distinguished Alumnus of Hendrix College—Morriss remained humble, always emphasizing the importance of collective effort over individual recognition.
Personal Life
Morriss discovered a love for sailing while in Boston, and some of his fondest memories were racing his Flying Dutchman boat with Ann and his time at the Beaver Lake Sailing Club. He also enjoyed tennis, running, and hunting trips to South Dakota with his sons and son-in-law, where he admired the natural instincts of the hunting dogs. Dogs held a special place in his heart, and they were naturally drawn to his gentle presence.
Family was central to Morriss’s life, and he was an always positive voice for his children and grandchildren. Some of his happiest moments were spent boating and fishing with his family and grandchildren at Beaver Lake. Ever the eye doctor, he would remind his family of the risks that fishing hooks and fireworks posed to both eyes and fingers—always with a smile.
On August 1, 2024, Morriss and Ann celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, surrounded by the family they built together. Their son, Dr. Paul Henry, upholds the 91-year family legacy at Henry Eye Clinic as an ophthalmologist, while their daughter, Dr. Katherine Henry Baltz, and her husband, Tracy, also practice ophthalmology in Little Rock. Their youngest son, Mark, is a lawyer in Fayetteville specializing in intellectual property.
Survivors
Morriss is survived by his wife, Ann, and children: Dr. Paul Morriss Henry (Mary Jo Henry, M.D.), Dr. Katherine Henry Baltz (Tracy Baltz, M.D.), and Mark Murphey Henry, J.D. (Cori Henry, M.Ed.); his grandchildren: Andrew, Charles, and Catherine Henry; Nathan and Isaac Baltz; and Emma Kate, M.Econ., Lily, M.A., and Harrison Henry. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Dr. Louise Henry of Georgia and Jerre Jouett of Fayetteville, niece Ashley Rainwater Malone of Texas, and nephews Matthew Henry of Georgia, and Jeff Jouett and Jason Jouett, J.D. of Fayetteville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lewis Murphey Henry and Dr. Louise McCammon Henry, as well as his brother, Herbert Henry, Ph.D., who once remarked, “Three important values in the Henry household were truth, honor, and ethics. Morriss embodied them all.” Also preceding him in death were his niece Cynthia Henry Orso of Georgia, his in-laws, Andrew and Opal Rainwater of Springdale, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Sheryl Rainwater of Oklahoma, and brother-in-law Jerry Jouett of Texas.
A celebration of his life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 10:30am. If you are unable to attend but would like to see the service online please go to stpaulsfay.org/worship and follow the link to their Youtube channel. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to The Nature Conservancy of Arkansas or a charity of your choice.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
What’s your fondest memory of Morriss?
What’s a lesson you learned from Morriss?
Share a story where Morriss' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Morriss you’ll never forget.
How did Morriss make you smile?