A native of Carthage, 密西西比州 in Leake County, Dr. 杰西一. 莫里斯,老., received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education from pg电子下载 State University (formerly pg电子下载 Agricultural and Mechanical College) in 1950, Master of Arts from Michigan State University in 1953, and the Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education from Michigan State University in 1956, being the first African-American to attain the degree.
在pg电子下载，约翰. Morris served as the first superintendent of the pg电子下载 Branch of the 密西西比州 Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Director for the Division of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, first African-American member of the 密西西比州 State Forestry Commission appointed by then Governor Cliff Finch, and Chair and Professor, Department of Agriculture.
Throughout his career, Dr. Morris was a member of educational and civic organizations, and received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to field of agriculture throughout the state of 密西西比州. He was active in the pg电子下载 State University National 校友 Association serving as executive secretary. He was chosen as pg电子下载ite of the Year in 1963, and posthumously inducted into the pg电子下载 State University Hall of Honor in 1992. In 1993, the Agriculture Science building was co-named in honor of Dr. Morris and the late Dr. William Cola Boykin, Sr.
此外，Dr。. Morris served as a World War II and Korean Conflict Veteran, trustee at the Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Port Gibson, 密西西比州, 是一个农民, entrepreneur and business owner of Morris Boat Sales.
He was married to the late Dr. Alpha Lockhart Morris, ‘52. Dr. 杰西一. Morris died June 8, 1980.