Gail Witsell Morrell

Gail Gwendolyn Witsell was born on September 1, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Harold Witsell Sr. and Georgia Clay Witsell. As the second of five siblings, she radiated warmth, kindness, and a deep nurturing spirit from an early age. Gail was a steadfast source of support for her family, lovingly assisting her mother, a devoted middle school teacher. Upon completion of Moncrief Elementary School, Gail continued at Northwestern Junior-Senior High School, where she followed her older brother Harold’s footsteps both as a graduating senior and talented musician. She also proudly became a Majorette. When William M. Raines High School opened in 1965, Gail transferred and flourished, continuing as a majorette, joining the Thespian club, and excelling academically as an honors student. Her formative years were enriched by loyal friendships with Edna Boyd Jones, Joanne McLaughlin Williams, and her dearly missed friend the late Luella O’Neal. Bound by love to a large extended family, Gail shared close and joyful ties with many aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Witsell, Foster, Clay, Thayer, and Richardson families. After graduating from Raines High School, Gail attended Florida A&M University, inspired by her cousin Harriet Witsell Bowens and her older brother Harold’s academic achievements. In 1969, she pledged the Beta Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., quickly earning admiration for her compassionate leadership and collaborative spirit. As Chapter President (Basileus) in 1970, she spearheaded community programs, offering heartfelt counseling to youth in need throughout Tallahassee. It was during her studies at Florida A&M University that Gail met Joseph Morrell, her future husband, through a mutual friend, Ron Rogers. Gail earned her bachelor’s degree with dual majors in biology and psychology, and upon graduating in 1972, she embraced a career with Amtrak in Jacksonville as a 4th-generation railroad employee, continuing her family’s 100-year legacy of railroad service. Among the first generation of women and minorities in railroad management, Gail formed enduring friendships, ultimately becoming a regional supervisor over eleven train stations. With every step, she was guided by fairness, empathy, and insightful leadership. Gail and Joseph married in 1974 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville; their union blossomed with love and mutual devotion. Following Joseph’s graduation from law school in 1976, they remained briefly in Jacksonville before settling in Winter Springs, near Orlando, in 1980. Their greatest joys, sons Joseph Morrell Jr. (born in 1977) and Desmond Witsell Morrell (born in 1988), completed their loving family. As Gail balanced her professional responsibilities, she remained a beacon of hope and generosity in her community, helping establish the Altamonte Springs chapter of LINKS and initiating art and photography programs for children at the Boys and Girls Club. In the mid-1990s, Gail faced the challenge of viral myocarditis, which caused permanent damage to her heart and placed her on the heart transplant list. Despite these hardships, her remarkable resilience and positive outlook touched everyone around her. Gail underwent LVAD surgery in 2016 and continued to inspire others by serving as a representative for the University of Florida’s cardiac program and sharing her story publicly in commercials, on billboards, and in countless medical pamphlets. After 46 cherished years together, Gail’s beloved husband Joseph passed away in November 2020. Through grief, Gail’s unwavering love and strength shone brighter than ever, especially for her four treasured granddaughters, whom she cherished and spent countless hours laughing with, cheering for, and loving on. She inspired all of us as she managed her cardiac condition for 27 years. On September 16, 2025, at the age of 75, Gail passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and admiration. She is predeceased by her loving husband, Attorney Joseph Morrell Sr.; her father, Harold Witsell Sr.; and her brother, Harold Witsell Jr. Gail leaves behind a devoted family: her sons, Dr. Joseph Morrell Jr. and Attorney Desmond W. Morrell (Attorney Paula); her granddaughters, Ella Morrell, Olivia Morrell, Liliana Morrell, and Ava Morrell; her mother, Georgia Clay Witsell; brother, Anthony Witsell (Cynthia); sisters, Patti Moore and Debra Council (Wayne); aunts Christella Witsell Bryant and Loye Jean King; uncle Curtis Clay (Deloris); sisters-in-law: Tyra Witsell, Genell Thompson, Bettye Brown and Rosa Pitts; brothers-in-law: Major King, Paul Morrell and Roy Ray; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who carry her memory in their hearts. The legacy of Gail Gwendolyn Witsell lives on through the abiding love she gave to her family, the communities she lifted up, and all those whose lives she touched with her compassion and generous spirit.

Tributes

Gail Witsell Morrell

September 1, 1950 - September 16, 2025