Gayle Morris

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Gayle Simmons Morris, beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, and devoted servant to her family and community, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, in Smithfield, Utah, at the age of 85.

Born on July 15, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Gayle was the daughter of Thomas Mathew Simmons and Melva Mary Reid Simmons. She grew up in Salt Lake City alongside her brother, Thomas Reid Simmons, and carried throughout her life a deep love for family, learning, music, and service.

On March 15, 1962, Gayle married the love of her life, Milton Johnson Morris, in Salt Lake City. Together they built a life centered on faith, education, hard work, and caring for others. Their marriage of more than fifty-four years was marked by devotion, partnership, and adventure until Milt’s passing in 2016.

Gayle is survived by her four children: Brian (Keri) Morris, David (Suzanne) Morris, Gayl Anne (Quendy) Morris, and Lauren (Kevin) Shanley. She was also the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: Andrew “AJ” (Lindsey), Carolynn (Allen) Williams, Taylor (Megan), Tanner, Erin (Tate) Forger, Ethan (Caroline) Morris, Kyle (Kasenya) Shanley, and Jessica Shanley. Her joy continued into the next generation through her five great-grandchildren: Emery, Jordan, Bodhi, Jackson, and Caleb.

Education and service were central to Gayle’s life. She worked as a second-grade teacher in the Salt Lake City School District and spent countless hours nurturing children both in and outside the classroom. Her professional life also included work as a piano teacher, receptionist, secretary, and educational media contributor, including recording “retold stories” for KUED.

Her volunteer work was extraordinary in both scope and spirit. Gayle devoted thousands of hours to public schools as a classroom aide, library aide, PTA leader, scout leader, accompanist, art appreciation teacher, and organizer of educational and community programs. She brought warmth, creativity, and encouragement everywhere she served. In 1992, she also earned certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.

A woman of deep faith, Gayle served faithfully for many years in numerous church callings involving music, teaching, leadership, and compassionate care. She especially loved serving through music and fellowship, touching countless lives through her kindness and generosity.

One of the great adventures of Gayle and Milt’s later years came in 2004, when they joined the BYU China Teachers Program and traveled to Shanghai, where Gayle taught English classes at Tongji University. The experience reflected her lifelong passion for learning, teaching, and connecting with others across cultures.

Throughout her life, Gayle lived in many places across the United States, including California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and Utah, building friendships and communities wherever she went. Yet her heart always remained tied to Utah and to the people she loved most.

Gayle will be remembered for her cheerful service, musical talents, unwavering faith, creativity, and enduring love for family. Her legacy lives on in the generations she taught, comforted, encouraged, and loved.