A Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Robert Benjamin Morrison, Sr. of Tampa, FL who passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2016 was held on Tuesday, April 12th, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of College Hill, 3838 N. 29th Street, Rev. S. Evans Burrows, senior pastor, officiating. The interment followed in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
Robert Benjamin Morrison, Sr. was born on October 26, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Rev. Lenworth S. Morrison, Sr. and Elizabeth J. Morrison, the fifth of eight children. Mr. Morrison was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rev. Lenworth S. Morrison, Jr., sisters Franscena M. Jacobs, Gwendolyn M. Watkins and Judy M. Morgan, and brothers-in-law Tommie Watkins, Samuel Jacobs, Abraham Johnson, Major Morgan, Johnnie Simmons and Stephen A. Martin, Sr.
His father was born in Mandeville, Jamaica and his mother in Daytona Beach, Florida. When Robert was three years old, the family moved to Tampa from Massachusetts and several years later settled in Fernandina Beach, Florida. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Morrison, a Peck High School graduate, was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1944 and served two years in World War II in Europe. At the end of his service he returned to Florida and eventually enrolled in college under the G.I. Bill. He attended Florida Memorial College in St. Augustine, Florida then transferred to Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy in 1952. While at Xavier, he met Helen Martin and they became husband and wife on June 27, 1953. Mr. Morrison’s career began as a Staff Pharmacist for the following drug stores: Reyno Pharmacy in Jacksonville, South Parramore Pharmacy in Orlando and Wells Drug Store in Tampa. In 1956, he opened Morrison’s Pharmacy at 34th Street and Buffalo Ave. (now MLK Blvd.). He served the public for a collective forty – two years at multiple locations. Mr. Morrison was a former member of the Hillsborough County Pharmaceutical Association, Florida State Pharmaceutical Association and National Association of Retail Druggists. In honor of his more than 50 years as a licensed Pharmacist, Mr. Morrison was granted emeritus status by the Florida Board of Pharmacy. “Doc” as he was affectionately known, was a long time member of New Bethel Progressive Baptist Church, under deceased Pastor Rev. Leroy Stancil and later established his church home at First Baptist Church of College Hill, Dr. S. Evan Burrows, Pastor (and the late Rev. Abraham Brown).
He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife of 62 years, Helen M. Morrison, four children, Bob Morrison, Jr., Teresa Morrison, Jerome Morrison, Sr. and Gianna Morrison, daughters-in-law Jacentha Buggs, M.D. and Terrell Morrison; eight grandchildren, Weldon George, Stephon Morrison, Jerome Morrison, Jr., Garry Hicks, II, Robert Morrison, III, Edward Morrison, one very special granddaughter, Gabrielle Morrison and Zion Jones and one great - grandchild Zamya Strawder; three sisters, Juliette Knox, Eleanor Simmons and Mattie Johnson, brother-in-law Alvin Martin, Sr. (Ethel), sisters-in-law Carole M. Walker (John), and Brigid Martin and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and associates.
The family requests contributions in memory of Robert B. Morrison Sr. be sent to Xavier University, Department 1378, P.O. Box 56308, New Orleans, LA 70156-9904 or online at www.xula.edu/alumni/giving.html.