By John Howell
Batesville aldermen voted unanimously to seek to have a portion of a state highway named in memory of the late State Representative Leonard Morris, they just haven’t decided which highway.
District Five Panola County Supervisor Cole Flint made the request during Tuesday’s meeting of the mayor and aldermen to honor the late representative, educator and civic leader. He recommended two possibilities: Highway 35 near the W. M. Harmon Industrial Complex to memorialize Morris’ role in economic development in Panola County and the state.

Or Highway 51 in front of South Panola High School to remember his support for public education as his election as the first black member of the South Panola School District Board of Trustees.
Morris started out as a classroom teacher in Lambert and was elected to the SP board in 1978. He would serve until 1992, and during his tenure he was also elected president of the Mississippi School Boards Association.

He was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1992 and would become chairman of the powerful Medicaid Committee; served as both a member of the Panola Partnership Board of Directors and twice served as interim CEO of the organization.

Flint said the city’s resolution requesting the memorial would be taken to the 2016 Legislature where local representatives had assured him of their support.