Gayla Morgan
Gayla Morgan is someone you should know.
Born in Topeka on March 19, 1938, SGayla was born on the family farm, just southeast of Alta Vista, on December 30, 1932. She was the only child of Harry and Ethel Meinhardt.
Living in a rural area, Gayla had the privilege of having a horse to ride. She rode her horses all over with her childhood friend Rhoney who also had a pony. Gayla’s first horse was Judy, and although she had several over the years, Buck was her favorite.
Gayla considered herself very naive and shy as a teenager. She spent her free time reading all sorts of books about close-knit families who loved each other and worked hard to make a living, even in tough times. If the stories were in a rural setting, she especially enjoyed them, as she could readily relate to what it took to live a virtuous, godly life. She also admits to liking a good romance novel, now and again. In addition, Gayla still reads her Bible and devotions daily to stay grounded in her Lord.
In 1950, Gayla married Lee Miller and eventually had 3 children. Tragically, Gayla became a young widow when Lee died in an accident, leaving her with young children to raise alone. However, her ever-present Lord was with her, providing strength through the sorrow, and giv ing her the ability to carry on. He also provided a way for her parents to sell their home and move in with the children and her, allowing them to continue a stable life in the face of their tremendous loss.
After 10 years of widowhood, Gayla met and married Albert Morgan. The Lord blessed their marriage with a daughter they named Jennifer.
Gayla worked in a grocery store before getting another job in Fort Riley for a short time. In addition, she has worked in an office, and also drove her own car as a ‘bus service’ to take rural students to and from school. Later, she began working at a rest home where she remained employed for 25 years until retiring in 2000. She and Albert also mowed a cemetery for many years. But even with all this variety of jobs, her favorite (and most satisfying one) was working alongside her husband in their hay fields and with their cattle.
Gayla’s message to the youth of today is “Go outdoors more and get some exercise walking in the beauty of God’s nature, and leave your phones inside!” She also feels that people today rely too much on technology, and not nearly (if any) reliance on God, Gayla’s daughter, Cheryl Thomas lives in Lees Summit, Missouri. Daughter #2, Sharon McIntyre, lives in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. Her only son, Michael Miller, lives near Dwight, Kansas, and daughter #3, Jennifer Peery, lives in Mission, Kansas. She retains a closeness with all her children.
Gayla says the life lessons she feels has helped her the most are # 1: Putting the needs of others first rather than catering to her own desires; and #2: Purposely depending on faith in God to see her through the triumphs and tribulations of life.
The things she like most about Council Grove is that it is located in the middle of rural areas in the Flint Hills, so it feels so much like the areas she loved as a child and as a young woman, yet there are so many close conveniences. She is very grateful for the Senior Center in Council Grove. She is passionate and thankful for lots of friends, a loving family, a community of active churches, and the many opportunities to partake in honest, fun-loving laughter.
Gayla Morgan is definitely someone you should know!