It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Kristen Morgan Whaley known affectionately as Morgan Whaley a cherished lecturer in the College of Education at Georgia Southwestern State University who left this world on March 1 2026 at the age of thirty eight after a courageous battle with high grade endometrial stromal sarcoma.
The Americus Georgia community and the entire university family have been deeply moved by her strength and unwavering faith throughout the difficult journey that tested her body yet never diminished her spirit. Her presence brought light and encouragement to students colleagues and loved ones who now gather in reflection and support.
Morgan was born on December 16 1987 in Columbus, Georgia and grew up in various places before graduating from Sequoyah High School in Woodstock in 2006 where her athletic talents shone brightly. She earned a softball scholarship to Reinhardt University where she played as a dedicated catcher and developed lifelong friendships while completing her degree in education. This foundation of discipline teamwork and academic excellence shaped her early professional path and carried forward into every role she embraced with passion and purpose.
Her career began as an English teacher and coach for softball and basketball at Central Magnet Middle School in Murfreesboro Tennessee where she met her husband Jimmy and later moved to Americus to continue teaching at Deerfield Windsor School in Albany. Always drawn to creativity Morgan pursued her childhood dream by earning a cosmetology degree from South Georgia Technical College and worked as a talented hairstylist and makeup artist at The Look Salon making clients feel truly beautiful inside and out.
When she and Jimmy started their family she returned to education first as an administrative assistant at Georgia Southwestern State University in 2020 while earning her Master’s degree in middle grades education and soon advanced to the role of lecturer where she excelled until her passing.
As a devoted wife and loving mother Morgan centered her world around her husband Jimmy and their two sons JW and Finley whom she adored and gave her very best to every single day. She maintained close bonds with her parents Dean and Debra Basone of Waleska her brother Jordan Basone and his wife Shelby along with their children Charlie Lily Jameson and Rosie as well as extended family including her grandmother Geneva Jordan.
Morgan possessed a contagious smile and a warm personality that lit up any room whether in the classroom mentoring future educators or simply connecting with friends and colleagues at Georgia Southwestern. President Michelle R Johnston highlighted her kindness quick wit and ability to affirm and motivate others noting how her impact reached far beyond academic duties into the hearts of everyone she encountered.
Her hobbies and interests included staying active in sports related memories from her playing days enjoying time with her best friends Alex Riccardi Turner and Mackenzie Hart Greene and always finding ways to uplift people through thoughtful gestures that made them feel valued and loved.
