Birth Date: 10/19/1998
Deceased Date: 08/07/2023
Morgan Ashley Baker, 24, of Kenly, NC passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 7, 2023, from complications related to a rare terminal illness, Ataxia Telangiectasia.
Morgan was born October 19, 1998, to Russell Baker and Angela Braswell on a misty fall day making the world a little brighter. She was a participant in the Special Olympics winning too many medals to list. She was a member of Circle of Friends, a school inclusion program that builds genuine friendships between students with special needs and their peers. As a high school senior, she was bestowed the honor of being crowned Miss North Johnston 2017 following in the footsteps of older sister Taylor Baker in 2015.
Morgan was a force. As a young child she was fiercely independent telling her mom, “I do it.” At the age of 10, when she became wheelchair bound, that did not stop her determination. Throughout her illness, her smile never faded, her laughter never quieted, her wit and sense of humor only grew larger. Morgan and her sister Emily loved to shop and play Marco Polo in the store or they would stop random strangers and ask “are you my daddy?” She loved Charmed, The Vampire Diaries aka Ian Somerhalder and Supernatural aka Jensen Ackles. Those characters were her superheroes, and she was our superhero. She loved music and would sing into the hairbrush. She loved to play card games, especially Uno, and was ruthless with a Draw 4. She loved the water, the beach and mermaids. She dreamed of being a mother one day. To know Morgan was to love her and she served as a reminder that no matter your circumstance live life to its fullest.
She is survived by her parents; Russell Baker, Angela & Benjamin Braswell, sister; Emily Braswell, grandparents; Phyllis Williams & husband, Larry, Donald Baker & wife, Judy, Jackie Pulley, Dwayne Hill, Ben & Bobbie Braswell. Her favorite cousin, Deanna Batchelor and boyfriend, Jordan Morton and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Morgan was preceded in death by her sister, Taylor Baker (2015), Grandfather, Gregory Chavez (2015), Grandmother, Mary Hill (2016) and Grandfather Allen Pulley (2020).
A Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, NC. Visitation will begin at 6PM with a memorial service following at 7PM. The family asks those in attendance to wear pink or purple as these were Morgan’s favorite colors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the A-T Children’s Project in memory of Morgan Baker at atcp.org. In addition, contributions can be made to an account at BB&T in Morgan’s name in support of the financial needs of the family. These donations can be mailed to PO Box 836, Kenly, NC 27542.
A very special thank you to Trish Bomboy who has been her aide and constant companion for the last several years and loved her as she does her own children. To Angie Taylor, who was her full-time aide in middle and high school who ensured she was able to fully enjoy education, field trips and special milestones. To Johnston County EMS, where her stepfather is an EMT, for ensuring Morgan’s safe transport from Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield to Kenly where she would spend her final days in the comfort of her home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
