Morris Sherles Jr.

Morris Sherles Jr. was born on June 14, 1944, in Russellville, Tennessee, to the late Morris and Ethel (Cain) Sherles. The fourth of seven children, he received his early education in a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from West High School. He went on to study mathematics at Morristown and Knoxville College.

He married Revonda Faye Hanks, and together they had three daughters: Yvette, Francena, and Marie. Morris began his career at the Y-12 Nuclear Plant in Oak Ridge, where he worked for 34 years before retiring in 1999. Deeply devoted to his faith, he was ordained as a Deacon at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in Sweetwater and later at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in 1992. A gifted musician, he taught himself to play the guitar with what he described as divine guidance through dreams. He played for the Oak Grove Male Chorus of Niota, the Sensational Stars, the Sherles Brothers, and the Mighty Gospel Tones. He mentored his daughter Yvette on the bass, and together they traveled across many states, performing in churches and opening for renowned gospel groups including the Jackson Southernaires, The Gospel Keynotes, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Williams Brothers, and Evangelist Shirley Caesar.

In 1989, Morris married Deborah (Swagerty) Cotner, and they shared 37 loving years together. He found great joy in retirement, bowling in tournaments, traveling, and serving at Bewley’s Chapel Methodist Church, the same church he attended as a child. He chaired the graveyard committee at Russellville Cemetery, worked tirelessly to maintain it, and was an active member of the Men of Vision, a brotherhood committed to strengthening their community. Morris never met a stranger. He was a perfectionist in all he did, whether tending his lawn or repairing something, and he was known for his humor, his many stories, and his words of encouragement.

Morris departed this life on March 6, 2026, at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Juanita Courtney, and his brothers Robert “Bob,” Edward, and Roger Sherles. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 37 years, Deborah “Debbie”; daughters Rhonda Yvette (Victor) Goodson, Francena, and Marie Sherles; brothers Theodore “Mac” and Thomas “Tommy”; sisters-in-law Darlene and Roxanne Sherles; stepson Sean (Ebony) Cotner; granddaughters Kelesie (Skyler) Jarnigan, Kirsten Cotner, and Tori Burnside; great-grandsons Blakely and Talon Jarnigan; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.