The Spring City community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Morgan Scott (Rorer), a young woman whose kindness, creativity, and warm-hearted nature left an imprint on everyone who crossed her path. Morgan, originally from McHenry, Illinois, studied at the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago before beginning a career marked by hard work and dedication. She later made her home in Tennessee, where she worked at Old Navy and built a life filled with love, friendship, and promise.
Morgan was married to Ryan Scott, and the couple had just welcomed their daughter, Elayna, only weeks before Morgan’s unexpected passing. Those who knew Morgan say the joy of motherhood radiated from her in a way that words can barely capture. In those twenty precious days with her daughter, Morgan embraced every moment—every small smile, every gentle breath, every new experience—with a level of love and pride that her family will forever remember.
In a deeply emotional tribute, Ryan shared the unimaginable contrast of the past month.
“This month has been a whirlwind,” he wrote. “How can I go from the highest high of getting to meet my beautiful daughter and getting to see Morgan become the happiest, proudest mommy, to the deepest, darkest low of getting the call that Morgan passed away unexpectedly.”
Ryan described the sweetness of watching Morgan step into motherhood, even briefly. “Morgan was the best mom even though it was only for 20 days,” he said. As a first-time father, Ryan found himself facing new responsibilities with both tenderness and heartbreak. “Elayna was the first diaper I had ever changed, first baby I’ve held for more than five minutes. Now I’m Mr. Mom.”
Music, especially the country songs he grew up with, has taken on new resonance for him in the aftermath of loss. Lyrics about raising a child or protecting loved ones—lines he’d once sung without much thought—now hit with deeper meaning. “This may be weird to say but so many of my old country songs now just hit way harder and in a whole different way. From ‘how am I going to raise one’ to ‘don’t take the girl.’”
Amid the grief, Ryan has been overwhelmed by the kindness and support of their Spring City community. “This has shown me how loved Morgan, Elayna and I truly are. Our local community here is incredible,” he wrote, adding that such support came as a surprise considering they had only lived there for two years.
Ryan expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out to share memories, photos, and thoughtful messages. “Morgan was so loved and I miss her so much,” he said. As he prepares for the difficult months ahead, he remains grounded in his commitment to their daughter. “There will be many sleepless nights, and at those times I will just have to remember I gotta do it for Elayna and I cannot let Morgan down.”
To help preserve Morgan’s memory for Elayna as she grows, Ryan welcomes anyone who would like to share stories or pictures to send them to Ryan.Morgan.Scott12321@gmail.com.
A memorial for Morgan will be held Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Watts Bar Beer Works, where friends and community members are invited to gather in her honor. A second memorial will be held in Illinois this summer for loved ones unable to travel.
Morgan’s love, laughter, and gentle spirit will continue to live on through her daughter, her family, and the countless lives she touched.