Obituary of Candace Laureen Morris

Candace "Candy" Laureen Sands Morris was born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts on December 19, 1946, to William Henry and Marjorie Mae Stilwell Sands. She was their firstborn and shared her birthday with their beloved Gram Ethel Stilwell. Candy was aptly named as she was known for being so sweet and kind. Candy slipped away from this earth on December 27, 2023, after a short illness, with her beloved son Robert Morris by her side at Ocala Regional Medical Hospital. Candy grew up all around the world as her father served in the Army Air Corp and then the US Air Force. Candy spent her early years in Massachusetts, but after her father returned from the Korean War in 1952, her family was on the move. She lived in Providence, Rhode Island and then the family moved to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany followed by Etain Air Base, France. By the time her family returned Stateside, Candy was the big sister to two brothers and two sisters, a role she cherished all of her life. The Sands Family moved to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1959. Lowery AFB in Colorado was next and then they were off to Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central coast of California. While there, Candy graduated from Lompoc High School. She joined her family in their move to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Then the USAF needed Candy's father in Thailand during the Vietnam War, so the family moved to Florida while their dad was away from them for a year. It was during that stay in Florida that Candy met Jack Morris, whom she married on May 1, 1971, in Fort Myers Beach. Candy earned her Associates Degree in Medical Assistant and Office Technology from Webster College and worked for several years at Lee Memorial Hospital in Ft Myers, Florida. Their only son Robert William Morris was born there. In the mid-1980s, Jack accepted a transfer with the US Post Office to Avon Park, Florida where Candy resumed her worked in medical transcription. Later the family relocated to Ocala where she worked as a Certified Medical Assistant until she retired in 2009. Candy loved spending time with her husband Jack and son Rob and was entirely devoted to them. Candy and Jack enjoyed supporting Robert in Boy Scouts and were so proud of him earning Eagle Scout in 1992. They liked going to Flea Markets to find unique purchases. Candy was an avid fan of UF Gator Football and enjoyed watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but her loyalty was with the Sands Family favorite Dallas Cowboys. In addition to their son Rob, Candy and Jack's extended families were the focus of Candy's heart. When her sisters were sick, she traveled to visit them. She was faithful to keep in touch with her family members living all over the US. She was a woman of faith and prayed for her family and friends. Candy enjoyed taking cruises. She loved to travel with Rob on their trips to see family in Washington, D.C., Colorado, Indiana, and most recently to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Candy was content to be at home snuggling with her chihuahua Ellie. She made friends with her siblings' pets, too, and even remembered the pets names. She was a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley and collected his albums. She loved watching Hallmark Christmas movies all year round. Candy had the gift of hospitality and always had room for guests. She was a great cook and prepared many of her mother's favorite recipes. While Jack was known for his barbecued ribs, Candy made all the side dishes to complete the meal. Candy was very patriotic and interested in current events. She was proud to be an American and enjoyed her gun rights. Candy made friends wherever she lived, and even kept in touch with her parents' best friends. She loved Facebook and regularly encouraged and celebrated her friends, some she only knew online. She was an avid player of the "Words With Friends" game, which her playing partners enjoyed. Candy was preceded in death by her husband Jack Morris and their infant son, her parents, and her sister Donna Eli. Candy will be deeply missed by her son Rob, and remaining siblings Bill (Cindy) Sands of Dallas, TX, Marsha Sands of Venice, FL and Jim (Kim) Sands of Parker, CO, and brother-in-law Taylor Eli of Nokomis, FL. She has several nieces and nephews that she kept up with and loved dearly. She was especially proud of her great nieces and great nephews. Candy's Memorial Service will be on January 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home in Ocala. A reception will follow.