Sylvia LeClair Morris

Sylvia LeClair Morris, age 88 of Hendersonville, TN passed away Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Hendersonville. She was born April 21, 1936 in Anniston, AL to Felton Abner and Mabel Golden Vise Holley.

Growing up, Silvia's family were full time evangelists, even singing with Elvis Presley in church during those early years until college. She was offered a recording contract with RCA but elected to dedicate her talents to her family and raising children who were also singers. Sylvia married Bobby Joe, widely known as “The Tall Man”, in September 1956 and they share a gorgeous marriage until his passing in 2016. Sylvia served as the Ministress of Music for Barren Plains Baptist Church, Eastland Heights Baptist Church, Adairville Baptist Church, Tri-County Baptist Church (Grace Park Church) and Indian Hills Baptist Church. Sylvia owned and operated her own chain of salons, Sylvia’s Salon of Beauty in Springfield, Greenbrier, and Ridgetop. 

She traveled extensively with her kids and their group for over two decades, even enjoying a year run with “Our Sounds of Music Theatre” in Gatlinburg. After the years on the road, the season became one where she immersed herself in a life as a full-time Wife, Mom, Grandmother. There may be someone that cherishes family relationships as much, but never more than Sylvia loved her family. Her chief joy was anything that allowed her to spend time with her family, followed closely by her choir family at the church. She started her own group a FBC Hendersonville called Southern Praise, which the congregation truly enjoyed their performances of gospel and spiritual favorites. Whether it was sharing Christmas carols around the piano with the entire Beech HS basketball team or in an intimate setting with local friends, Sylvia was known by sharing life, love, and joy with each person she encountered.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents and husband; stepfather, Raymond Jewel Holley; and brother, Johnny Mack Vise. She is survived by her daughter, Crystal (Edward) Albornoz; son, Eric (Nicole) Morris; grandchildren, Brock (Nam) Tatum, Lexie (Brett) Hardaway, Hope Albornoz, Carlye (Bryton) Cole and Lake Morris; and great-grandchildren, Ruth, Riley, Izzie, and Emme. 

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in the Sumner Funeral and Cremation Lakeside Chapel with Dr. Bruce Chesser and Dr. Kevin Minchey officiating. Burial will follow in the Hendersonville Memory Gardens with Grady Robinson, Jim Vaughn, Bobby Williams, George Waldon, Dan Bailey, Brock Tatum, and Lake Morris serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Sumner Funeral and Cremation Lakeside from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024 and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, prior to the service. John Tillman, Andrew Price, Jay Hall, Duane Hayward, and Jeff Lake will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Hendersonville.