The family of a Colorado assistant middle school principal who died in a tragic car accident is honoring her lifelong dedication to education and the lasting love she shared with her students and family.
“In kindergarten, the teacher said, ‘I hope you don’t mind. Morgan is grading papers. She knows how to do the key,’ ” recalled Jimmie Nooner, mother of Morgan Ray, in an interview with CBS affiliate KCNC.
According to the Lone Tree Police Department, the fatal crash occurred on northbound Interstate 25 on Oct. 28. A woman was killed in the single-vehicle accident, and a child in the car was found alive.
Family members and the Douglas County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Ray, 37, of Aurora. The surviving child was her 4-year-old daughter.
“Morgan is a special human,” her sister Keni Nooner told KCNC. “She had a tough shell, but inside she was very loving and caring. She was a fierce power to be reckoned with — and she loved what she loved very hard.”
An alumna of George Washington University and Howard University, Ray later moved to Colorado and became an assistant principal at KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, where she was known for her passion and the care she showed to her students.
Her family shared that Ray and her daughter had been driving home after spending the night at her mother’s house when the crash took place. Despite the car rolling over twice, her daughter emerged uninjured.
“It’s very difficult to think about her watching her mom die in front of her,” Keni said.
The Lone Tree Police Department is investigating the cause of the accident.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support funeral expenses and care for Ray’s daughter, raising nearly $40,000 as of Friday.
“No matter where my daughter is, she is with me,” Jimmie said.
In a statement, KIPP Colorado Public Schools described Ray as an exceptional educator whose belief in her students’ potential inspired everyone around her.
“Morgan was a deeply committed educator who believed in the brilliance of every child, especially those who have historically been overlooked or underestimated. She worked every day to make sure students felt seen, heard, and challenged,” the district said. “Her impact was profound and will be felt in our classrooms and hearts for years to come. We are holding her daughter, her family, her students, and all who knew and loved her in our hearts.”
