Morgan Rochelle Smalley was born December 28, 1990, in Kansas City.
She died unexpectedly July 28, 2022, at her parents’ home in Augusta.
Morgan grew up in Goddard, and Seattle, Washington. She loved reading and writing from her earliest years, producing and selling her own books for a time. Morgan graduated from Goddard High School in 2009 and subsequently earned her bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Kansas.
Most importantly she acquired an adventurous spirit leading to her world travels. Morgan worked as an English teacher in Hong Kong, witnessing the Chinese oppression and freedom protests there, and in Krakow, Poland, where her heart broke for the flood of Ukrainian war refugees she observed and assisted.
Her wanderlust lasted to the last of her days, including hopes to travel to South America to see Machu Pichu, to visit the Hermitage Art Museum of St. Petersburg, Russia, and observing Passover in Jerusalem.
Passionate and energetic in her convictions, Morgan graciously accepted divergent points of view and people from all walks of life.
Morgan was also passionate in her affections for her family and the far-flung flock of friends she collected around the world.
She is survived by her parents Jack and Annette Smalley, and her sister Megan of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Grandparents Norman and Barbara Smalley, Harriet and Richard Nelson, aunt Marcy Smalley and aunt and uncle Marcy and Roger Clegg, survive to mourn her passing. Her maternal grandfather Keith Armstrong passed away in 1992.
Morgan’s cousins Taylor and her husband Aaron Moon, Jordan Bickford, Michael and Chelsea Clegg, their families, and the rich family trees of Gib and Eunice Wiens, Gene and Abby Smalley, Walter and Eva Rundell, and Charles and Ida Armstrong will also remember her with love.
Morgan’s bucket list included spelunking, sky diving, scuba diving, and visiting the Great Wall of China, along with many others. She had hoped to tour Scotland with Taylor and Aaron in September.
Always, please remember Morgan well.
Her time ran out too soon.