Donald Bayard Morris
Submitted by Dawalt Funeral Home
Donald Bayard Morris, age 95, of Salem, Indiana, passed away on July 31, 2026 at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital.
He was born on March 21, 1931 in Salem, Indiana to the late Howard Cauble and Maysel Irene (Godfrey) Morris.
He was a lifelong resident of Washington County and a 1948 graduate of Salem High School.
On July 26, 1952, he married Rilda Irene (Hammond) Morris who preceded him in death on October 8, 2025.
Don served during the Korean War as an Airman 1st Class in the United States Air Force. After the Air Force, he worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 32 years walking many miles every day to deliver mail to those in the city of Salem. He was also a lifelong farmer until the age of 84.
Don was a founding member of New Hope United Methodist Church where he served on many committees, sang in the choir, and was active with the United Methodist Men. He was also a member of the Salem Masonic Lodge.
Don spent his life farming, raising beef cattle and growing soybeans and corn. There was nowhere he would rather be than on his farm. He was an avid supporter of Salem High School sports teams and IU basketball. Most of all he loved his family. Don and Irene loved their lifelong neighbors, the Chastain’s, who became more like family than friends.
Survivors include three daughters, Pam Smith (Dennis Stoops) of Sellersburg, IN, Donna Schmidt (Mike) of New Albany, IN, and Susan Lawson (Michael) of Crestwood, KY, 7 grandchildren, Adam Smith, Derek Smith, Erin Hobson, Carly Launius, Tyler Schmidt, Chelsea Murphy, and Haley Lawson. He is also survived by 9 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Chase Lawson, his brother, Robert Morris, and two sisters, Virginia Denien and Jean Ann Evans.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Rivercrest Senior Living in New Albany, IN for the love and care they provided the last 2 years. The family also wants to thank the staff at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital and the Hosparus team that provided such love, support and care for him during his last week of life.
Visitation will be held at Dawalt Funeral home in Salem, IN on Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026 at New Hope United Methodist Church from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral service will begin at 11:00. followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to New Hope United Methodist Church, 4957 West State Road 60, Salem, IN 47167 or to the Washington County Community Foundation, Donald and Irene Morris Touch Tomorrow Fund, 1707 North Shelby Street, Suite 100, Salem, IN 47167.
Comments