Our Story
Welcome to the Morrison Funeral Homes website.
Established in 1959 by Joe Morrison Sr., Morrison Funeral Homes was founded upon service...not just any service, but family service. Being the only family owned and operated funeral home for four generations in the Shoals area gives us the knowledge of tradition and continual changes that we are faced with in our profession.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.
Morrison Funeral Homes, a seven time recipient of the N.F.D.A. Pursuit of Excellence award, is a full service funeral establishment, offering the very best in personal care and professional service. We have three convenient funeral home locations, two in Colbert County and one in Lauderdale County, along with our newly constructed Cremation Care Center. Morrison Funeral Homes offers Traditional Funeral Services, Cremation Services with our on-site crematory, Pre-Arranged/Pre-Planned Services, Cemetery Services with our own Cherokee Memorial Park, and Bronze Memorials.
Morrison Funeral Homes is a community active establishment. From speaking to various groups, ranging from senior citizens to students, to furnishing books to local elementary schools, to financial support to many high school programs, little league activities, churches, etc., we are honored to be a part of such a wonderful area. Every year Morrison Funeral Homes contributes to the Cerebral Palsy Center, to further the treatment of local children who suffer from this condition; the Colbert Caring Center, which specializes in assisting families experiencing financial difficulty; and the Helen Keller Festival, an annual event held in downtown Tuscumbia to honor the life and celebrate the cause of Helen Keller, the First Lady of Courage. Also, in 2003, Morrison Funeral Homes established an scholarship program called the Morrison Funeral Homes Outstanding Service Scholarship. This is a $500 cash scholarship awarded to individuals whom have excelled in scholastic and community service. Morrison Funeral Homes gave four local high school seniors each this scholarship, acknowledging their efforts in their respective community involvements. This is just another way we want to invest in the lives of the people we have the privilege to serve.
With a rich tradition of personal, professional service, and an experienced staff of caring experts, Morrison Funeral Homes strives to be the premier funeral service institution. We encourage you to contact us if you would like more information about how we can serve you and your family. Please feel free to contact us at one of our multiple locations. Thank you for visiting.
Learn the legacy.
In 1959, the Morrison family established a funeral home in the Shoals area. Joe Morrison Sr. was the founding owner of the funeral home. His interest in the funeral business began through his sister Sybil Morrison Jones, who in 1938 was the first female in the state of Alabama to receive her funeral directing and embalming license. Sybil and her husband Bowie owned and operated Jones Funeral Home in Anniston, Alabama.
Joe Morrison Sr. owned and operated the funeral home until 1985, when Joe Morrison Jr. took over the business. Under his leadership, Morrison Funeral Homes experienced tremendous growth. In order to better serve the families of the Shoals area, Joe Jr. had the vision to expand and branch out. A large addition was constructed at the Tuscumbia location, additional staff was employed, and these were just the beginning steps.
In 1997, the Morrison family opened a funeral home in Cherokee, Alabama, to serve west Colbert County and parts of northeast Mississippi. At this time, the family purchased Cherokee Memorial Park, which is a perpetual care cemetery located adjacent to Morrison Funeral Home in Cherokee. Morrison Funeral Home is the only funeral home in Colbert County with two locations.
In 2003, a third location was built in the Central Heights community, located in Lauderdale County. This facility is located on Highway 20 (Savannah Highway), approximately one mile east of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Morrison Funeral Home, Central Heights/Florence serves the residents of western and central Lauderdale County.
After fifty plus years of funeral service, Joe Morrison Jr. made the bitter-sweet decision to step back on November 1, 2018. Mike Morrison assumed the helm of Morrison Funeral Homes that same day, and leads his team with a steadfast commitment to serve the families of the Shoals area with professional and personal service. With well over 200 years of collective experience from owner and staff, Morrison Funeral Homes has, is and will always be committed to "Setting the Standards for Tomorrow ... Holding to the Values of Yesterday."
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.
Mike Morrison CFSP, CCO
Owner & President
Mike is the president and owner of Morrison Funeral Homes. He is a third-generation licensed funeral director and embalmer. Mike is a life-long native of the Shoals area, serving as a funeral director since 1988. Mike and his wife Holly (Waldrep) reside in Muscle Shoals and have three sons, Alex, Rhett, and Braden. They are also "Pops" and "Mimi" to their grandchildren, Eleanor, Isabella, Thomas, Owen, and Lucas. Mike and Holly reside in Muscle Shoals and are members of Highland Park Baptist Church, in Muscle Shoals, AL.
Credentials:
1988 Graduate of Deshler High School
1991 Graduate of Jefferson State College
National Board-Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
State of Alabama Licensed Insurance Agent
State Of Alabama Authorized Cremationist
Certified Crematory Operator by the NFDA
Member of NFDA
Member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice
(CFSP)
Member of AFDA (Past-President, District Governor, Multiple Committees)
Served on the Alabama Board of Funeral Service 2012-2013
Joe Morrison, Jr
Advisor/Consultant & Past President
Joe is the former owner and president of Morrison Funeral Homes, and now serves as primary consultant and advisor. He is a second generation licensed funeral director and embalmer. His father, Joe Morrison Sr., founded Morrison Funeral Homes, in 1959. Joe is native of Decatur, AL, but moved to the Shoals area while he was in high school. Joe has served as a funeral director since 1962, spending his life serving others. Joe and his wife Brenda have three children, Stan, Stephanie, and Mike, and nine grandchildren. In 2022, Brenda went home to be with the Lord. He is a member of Barton First Baptist Church.
Credentials:
1962 Graduate of Coffee High School
1965 Graduate of John A Gupton College
National Board Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
Member of NFDA (Policy Board)
Member of AFDA (Past-President)
Member of Advisory Board of Jefferson State College Funeral Service Department
Alex Morrison, CCO
Funeral Director
Alex is a lifelong resident of the Shoals. He is the great-grandson of the founder of Morrison Funeral Home, Joe Morrison Sr. and a fourth-generation funeral director. He started working in the funeral home after graduating high school in 2010. Alex is married to the former Claire Burns, they reside in Muscle Shoals, and are members of Highland Park Baptist Church. Alex and Claire have two beautiful children, Eleanor and Thomas.
Credentials:
2010 graduate of Deshler High School
Alabama Licensed Funeral Director
Mississippi Licensed Funeral Director
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
State of Alabama Authorized Cremationist
Certified Crematory Operator by the NFDA
Member of the AFDA
Member of the NFDA
Rhett Morrison, CCO
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Rhett is a lifelong resident of the Shoals. He is the great-grandson of the founder of Morrison Funeral Home, Joe Morrison Sr. He started working in the funeral home after graduating high school in 2015. He attended Murray State University on a football scholarship and later transferred to University of North Alabama. Rhett graduated from Jefferson State College with a degree in Funeral Service Education & Mortuary Science in May 2019 and passed the licensure test of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board in September 2019. Residents of Muscle Shoals, Rhett and his wife Kasi (nee South) have three children, Isabella, Owen, and Lucas. They attend church at Highland Park Baptist Church.
Credentials:
2015 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School
2019 graduate of Jefferson State College
National Board-Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Tennessee Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Mississippi Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
State of Alabama Authorized Cremationist
Certified Crematory Operator by the NFDA
Member of AFDA
Member of NFDA
Braden Morrison
Apprentice Funeral Director
Braden is youngest son of Mike and Holly Morrison, and he resides in Muscle Shoals, AL. A fourth generation family employee, Braden graduated Muscle Shoals High School in 2017. He is a licensed apprentice funeral director and also manages the fleet of vehicles. Braden has a degree in Criminal Justice from Northwest Shoals Community College. He has completed the funeral director program requirements of Jefferson State College and will complete his apprenticeship Summer 2024.
Creditials:
2017 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School
2020 graduate of Northwest Shoals Community College
Alabama Licensed Apprentice Funeral Director
Member of AFDA
Member of NFDA
Timothy W. Justice
Business Manager
Tim has lived in the Shoals area most of his life. He has served in the funeral service profession since 1992, and presently serves as the Business Manager at Morrison Funeral Homes. Tim is the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals, where he enjoys serving God and others. Tim and his wife Leslie reside in Muscle Shoals and have two children, Hannah and Matthew, and three grandsons, Gideon, Judah, and Noah.
Credentials:
1991 Graduate of Muscle Shoals High School
1994 Graduate of Jefferson State College
National Board Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
State of Alabama Licensed Insurance Agent
Member of the NFDA
Member of the AFDA
Joey Baker
Operations Manager
Joey is a native and lifelong resident of the Shoals area. Joey has served in the funeral service profession since 1988. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and serves as the daily operations manager for Morrison Funeral Homes. Joey and his wife, Nancy reside in Florence and have three children, Courtney, Chase and Corey, and six grandchildren.
Credentials:
1983 Graduate of Brooks High School
1991 Graduate of Jefferson State College
National Board Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
Member of AFDA
Member of NFDA
William C. Holder
Public Relations Director
Chad is a native and lifelong resident of the Shoals area. He has served the residents of the Shoals area at Morrison Funeral Homes since 1994. In addition to his regular duties of funeral directing and embalming, he also serves as the Director of Public Relations. Chad and his wife Kelly reside in Muscle Shoals and have three children, Ethan, Emily, and Ella. He is a licensed and ordained minister, and serves as an interim and supply preacher in local churches.
Credentials:
1995 Graduate of Colbert County High School
1997 Graduate of Jefferson State College
National Board Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
Member of AFDA
Member of NFDA
Keith Justice, CCO
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Keith is a long-time resident of the Shoals area. He and his wife, Stacy live in the Colbert Heights Community with their daughter Katelynn. They also have four adult children and three grandchildren and enjoy being parents to many foster children. Keith and his family are members of Liberty Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals where he serves as Treasurer and Stacy is a Sunday School teacher and the organist.
Credentials:
1987 Graduate of Muscle Shoals High School
1993 Graduate of Jefferson State College
National Board Certified Funeral Director and Embalmer
State of Alabama Authorized Pre-Need Sales Agent
State Of Alabama Authorized Cremationist
Certified Crematory Operator by the NFDA
Member of NFDA
Member of AFDA
Paul E. Willingham
Funeral Director
Paul is a native of the Shoals area, a graduate of Bradshaw High School, a graduate of U.N. A., and a member of the Tuscumbia First Methodist Church. He first began serving in the funeral industry in 1971 working for Morrison-Elkins Funeral Home, and worked in the funeral industry throughout the 70's. Paul, eventually, found employment with Florence Gas Department and retired from full-time employment in 2014. Since that time, Paul re-entered funeral service and obtained his Alabama Funeral Director's License. He began serving at Morrison Funeral Homes in February 2022. Paul and his wife Pat reside in Florence.
Macon E. Bates
Apprentice Funeral Director & Embalmer
Macon is a 2021 graduate of Deshler High School and resides in Sheffield. The youngest of Jason and Shelley Bates, Macon began her career in March 2022 and received her apprentice licensure in August 2022. She has completed the requirements for her degree in Funeral Service Education/Mortuary Science from Jefferson State College and will complete her apprenticeship Summer 2024. Macon is a member of York Bluff Baptist Church, located in Sheffield.
Creditials:
2021 graduate of Deshler High School
Alabama Licensed Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer
Member of AFDA
Member of NFDA
Ed White
Funeral Assistant
Ed, a veteran of the United States Army, serves as a funeral assistant. He is the past pulpit minister at the Valdosta Church of Christ, where he has served sinced 1990. He and his wife Faye live in Tuscumbia.
Ronnie Martin
Funeral Assistant
Ronnie is a native of Sheffield and attended Sheffield High School. He retired from Southern and Norfolk Southern Railroad after forty years of service. He has attended Grace Life Church of the Shoals for thirty-six years. He is married to Anita Morgan Martin and they have one son, Eric Martin.
Johnny Nixon
Funeral Assistant
Johnny is life long resident of Colbert County. He is a graduate of Colbert County High School and retired from Delphi Automotive. He is married to Brenda and they have two daughters. He is a life long member of Valley Grove Baptist Church where he enjoys singing in the choir, and serving as a deacon.
Lance Smith
Funeral Assistant
Lance is a lifelong resident of the shoals area. He is a retired Florence Police Officer and retired from the Alabama National Guard. He is an Iraq War veteran, a member of the American Legion Post 31 in Tuscumbia, and Sr. Vice Commander/Color Guard Member. Lance is married and has 3 children and 1 grandchild.
Bobby Holder
Funeral Assistant
Bobby is a native and life-long resident of the Shoals area. A veteran of the United States Army National Guard, Bobby is a former business owner and retired pipe fitter. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Muscle Shoals. They have two children, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Megan Smith Anderson
Administrative Assistant
Megan began her employment with Morrison Funeral Homes in January 2019. She is a lifelong resident of the Central Heights community, and a graduate of Central High School (class of 2006).
Paige Cantrell
Administrative Assistant
Dawn Slaton
Administrative Assistant
Dawn is a Shoals area native. She and her husband Steve reside in Cherokee. They are members of Cherokee First Baptist Church, where her husband serves as the pastor. Dawn is the Office Administrator at Morrison Funeral Home, Cherokee.
Awards & Associations
2020
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
2019
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
2008
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
2007
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
2006
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
2004
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
2003
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence
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