Michael Wayne Morton

Michael Wayne (Mike) Morton, age 72, a longtime resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Maury Regional Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Pleasant Heights Baptist Church with Bro. Bob Vassar and Bro. Maurice Hollingsworth officiating. He will be laid to rest at Polk Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home and again on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mike was born in Franklin, Tennessee, on March 6, 1953 to the late Wilma Johnson Turner and the late L.B. (Shorty) Morton. He attended McDowell Elementary, Whitthorne Jr. High and was a 1972 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Shortly after graduation, a visit with relatives landed him a job at the officers club in Little Rock, Arkansas Air Force base from 1972 – 1982. He then moved back to Columbia where he lived the rest of his life.

Mike enjoyed watching TV and recording his favorite shows to watch the next day. He always had 4 or 5 VCRs and sometimes had all of them set to record at various times.. He enjoyed wrestling, football games, especially TN Vols, and was a “Days of Our Lives” fan. He rarely missed an episode.

He was a loyal member of Pleasant Heights Baptist Church. He made every attempt to be there at every service until his health prevented him from attending. But fortunately, he was able to pick up his tablet and enjoy Sunday morning worship through internet and continued that until the end of his life. The pastor told us that Mike told him when communion was passed; he had his crackers and juice ready.

Mike had many challenges all his life. He always remembered the words from his beloved granddad “Don’t say the word can’t”. Those words were an inspiration to him and he always found a way to come up with something to make things work for him.

He is survived by brother, Steve Morton and wife, Lisa and sisters, Janice Bennett and husband, Charlie, and Mildred Lovett (lovingly called “Millie” or “Mousie” by family and friends). Nieces, Lee Ann Cothron and Bethany Morton. Nephews, Keith Brady, Ken Lovett and Stephen Morton, also a host of great nieces, nephews and cousins who adored him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by grandparents, James and Viola Johnson.

Mike’s wishes along with his family are to give a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Life Care Center for all the love and attention he was given while making his home there for the last two and a half years. Thank you to all his church family and friends over the years for the many acts of kindness and generosity shown to him. He also wanted to say thank you to a friend and former caregiver, Rethea Sparks. He was always so grateful to her and her family for being there when he needed them.

His favorite charity was St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and he asked that donations be made to them in lieu of flowers.

Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Pleasant Heights Baptist Church.