Shannon Kay Morris

Shannon Kay Morris passed away at home on September 11, 2024, surrounded by her husband and children. She was 56 years old. She will be remembered for her warm smile and for her devotion to faith, community, and above all, family.

Shannon is survived by her husband, Robert (Rob) Morris Sr. and their children: Chief Warrant Officer 2, Robert Morris Jr., Rachel Morris, Mary Sargent (Brett), Emma Morris, and Joseph Morris. She is also survived by her parents, Scott and Sallee Miller and her Siblings Coyanne Ingles (Sean) and Mathew Miller (Rachel).

In her early years, she learned to make new friends easily as her family moved around the country. They lived in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; San Francisco, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Medford Lakes, New Jersey; and settled in Scottsdale, Arizona. Shannon is a graduate of Horizon High School (Scottsdale) and Brigham Young University where she served as the Travel and Tourism Club President, and the President of the College of Family Home and Social Sciences (at that time the largest college on campus). She also served on the Student Alumni Executive Board.

Shannon and Rob were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple on May 28, 1988. They lived in Provo, Utah; San Diego, California; and Frisco, Texas before returning to Arizona in the late 90’s. Shannon enjoyed years of good health, training in the pool during the summer and logging miles on her bicycle the rest of each year. She loved horseback riding and was content to split vacation time between the beach and the mountains.

As a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shannon found joy teaching primary children and young women about Jesus Christ. She answered a call to serve with her husband in the prison ministry where they were blessed to minister to youth in the Pinal County Juvenile Justice Center. In 2012 Shannon received The President’s Volunteer Service Award for this work from President Barack Obama. Shannon shared the gospel of the Savior in a context of love, bringing light and hope to young people who had wandered off course and had been separated from society. During this ministry, the Morris’s were endowed with a lesson on Grace that strengthened their testimonies of the Redeemer. Service in the prison ministry deepened Shannon’s love for Heavenly Father and his children. She later served as the Relief Society President in her ward with more profound compassion and empathy, understanding that everyone faces headwinds in this fallen world and Jesus Christ is mighty to save.

Shannon is remembered in the Town of Gilbert for her work as a Volunteer Art Mastery Instructor in the grade schools. For years, she supported the Highland Park Elementary Library performing in their still-remembered Time Machine sketches. Shannon also served as an officer in her local Parent Teacher Association.

Shannon cultivated life-long friendships with the best neighbors in the world. She also hosted popular block parties more than 20 years ago when Morrison Ranch was a budding community. Shannon later served as President of her Homeowners Association.

After a four-year battle with cancer, Shannon basked in the love of her husband and five adult children who returned home to favor her with perfect love and care as she received Hospice Services in her home. The devotion and affection of her children during her final days is a testament to their great capacity to love and ability to convey love like their mother.