Mid-South businesswoman Yolanda Morris recalls father’s legacy through his 50-plus years as owner of historic Memphis landmark

Just before 4 o’clock Thursday evening, Yolanda Morris took to her social media page and staged a rather thought-provoking Biblical passage.

Said Morris via Facebook in a post that was accompanied by Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things.

By and large, credit Morris, a Mid-South-area businesswoman, for deeming it essential to share before the masses an awe-inspiring, yet familiar passage.

“I love meeting people and serving people,” Morris told Making Headline News during an interview this week.

That to which Morris is alluding is during her tenure as assignment manager for Morris Grocery Barbecue And Deli, a tradition-rich and beloved Memphis-based business her father, the late Laddie Morris, Jr., had owned for more than five decades until his death last year.

A business that was located at 10601 Macon Road in the heart of Northeast Memphis, Morris Grocery Barbecue And Deli was a fixture for years and, given the reactions to Morris’ social media posts, it’s safe to assume that many Memphians miss this establishment.

“Miss this (place) so much,” Mid-Southerner Beth McFarlin said of Morris Grocery Barbecue And Deli via Facebook. “Classic landmark with the kindest people and the best BBQ.”

Morris Grocery Barbecue And Deli opened in 1967, approximately a year prior to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in downtown Memphis.

The business effectively ceased operations in March 2017 following the death of Morris’ brother.

“My (dad’s) son passed in March and, because of his death, my dad decided to close,” said Morris, whose father passed away at the age of 73 five months later.

All things considered, Morris and her family are steadfastly clinging to an array of fond memories by way of their father’s legacy and the business he built and shared with so many others — near and far for more than five decades strong.

“Word of mouth had gotten people from everywhere to come and eat with us,” Morris said. “From Nashville to Detroit.  From Detroit to Denver. When you taste (our food), you’d talk about it.”

Much to Morris’ delight, people are still talking out the historic Bluff City landmark that was once Morris Grocery Barbecue And Deli.

“My dad began this business 50 years ago to bring more money into the home, to take the best care of the house with his wife, Kathryn, and four children: Toney, Yolanda, Wanda, and Jacqueline.”

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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.