Timothy “Wade” Morris
February 21, 1968–August 3, 2021
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
~John 1:47, NASB
Monday night August 2 was not a good night at the Bailey household: we kept getting bad news from every direction and two of the three were covid related. The most shocking news was that Wade had been put on the vent and was fighting for his life. We went to bed praying and woke up praying for God to spare his life. Shortly after posting our blog Tuesday morning, I got the news of his promotion and it rocked my world. Wade was a larger than life figure. If anyone seemed invincible, it was wade. As far as I know, he had no fears. He went into restricted countries like it was a trip to the park. I think he had been in and out of more airports than anyone I know and he had a story for every port. Many years ago, I labeled him the barefoot prophet but I don’t think it went any further than Danville where Wade was a fixture. I will not lie, some COLS are celebrations but I found it very difficult to celebrate Saturday. Personally, it was a sad day. My heart was breaking for Deborah and the girls. Although I couldn’t understand very much of what they said due to my hearing, I could see the sorrow on their faces. I didn’t make any attempt to speak to them because there were so many there and I knew they had to be exhausted but if I had, I would have told them…Wade seldom preached a sermon that he didn’t work them into the conversation. Wade opened up to Danville and shared his heart and even his vulnerabilities. His honesty only increased our love for him. We all knew he was a busy man on the go but there was never any doubt on our part that he loved his family. He would have been the last person on earth that I would have thought would die because of covid. He was a picture of health and vitality. I have had a pure hatred for cancer for many years because it has taken so many friends but my hate for covid is growing.
One other thing: I had big plans for Wade. I’ve been working on a plan to get him to Grace Point and now that cannot happen. Although my grief is not to be compared with that of his family, I must say, I am grieving his loss. I want to hear him say just one more time, “Hey bro, just so you know, you’re the dude.” In all my years, I don’t think I’ve seen a promotion send shock waves through a family and community as Wade’s had done. A lot of younger people have gotten the vaccination since Wade’s shocking promotion. No one thought this could happen to Wade. There are two verses in Isaiah that comfort me…
Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. {Isa. 57:1-2, NLT}
P.S. We are already talking about a YOUTH RALLY for next year. The REVIVE NOW RALLY last night was a huge success. The secondary gym at Brewer was packed and many decisions were made. I want to do the next one in honor of Wade’s memory. They are going to set up a foundation in Wade’s memory for scholarship. You can send gift to: Wade Morris Ministries, Inc. PO Box 380845, Birmingham, AL, 35238-0845.