Gayla Christine (Murry) Griswold

Gayla Christine Griswold passed away in the comfort of her family and nursing staff at the age of 74, on Wednesday February 25, 2026. She fought a hard battle with Parkinson's disease and later succumbed to it. The Lord carried her through and she passed away peacefully.

Gayla was born in Roosevelt, UT to Revella Lopez and Gail Richard (Nick) Murray. She was the oldest child and had 3 sisters Marilyn, Lana, Kathy and two brothers Rick and Ray. She was raised in the Uintah Basin. She went to Union High School, where she was on the drill team graduating in 1970. After graduation she went to Steven-Henegar Business College in Salt Lake City. While attending college, just before her nineteenth birthday she had a severe car accident and was in a coma for one week. Her grandmother Erna Murray nursed her back to health. The car accident made her realize how precious life is, so began her search for God. After graduating Steven-Henegar College, she moved back to Roosevelt and in 1972, where she received a job at First Security, as commercial loan stenographer. She met her husband Wayne Edward Griswold and they were married May 25, 1973. She had 3 children Angela (Angie) born in 1976, Timothy (Tim) born in 1977 and Tarin (Christopher) born in 1979.

Once she was married and started a family, she dedicated her life to becoming a loving wife and mother. She felt a calling to serve the Lord. After many years of searching for a denomination, she decided to become a Jehovah' s Witness. She loved the Lord and later would share the message by going door to door. This impacted other knowing that there is a higher calling and they are not alone. She had a servant's heart and loved to help others.

She loved to bake, crochet, garden, sing, play guitar and write. In 2013 she published a book called Sunflowers in the Morning based on her true story of her childhood. In the beginning of the book, she shared a bible verse on the introduction page “Upon finding one pearl of high value, he went and promptly sold all the things he had and bought it”, Matthew 13:46. Not long after this book she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, her sister Marilyn arranged all of her health care needs in Idaho and was such a great support to her.

She is survived by her children Angie (Cliff) Serawop, Tim (Yunxiang) Griswold, Christopher (Nina) Griswold. Granddaughters, Destinee (Brandy), Jocelyn, Audrey, Kinley and Lexi. Grandsons, Alan, Andrew, Aaron and Xander, Her sisters, Lana (Tim) Bonnet, Kathy (Bob) Roberts. Her brothers, Ray (Susan) Murray, Gary Baker. Many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wayne, her sister Marilyn, brother Rick, nieces Cami Jo and Jacqueline.

The memorial service is Saturday April 18, 2026, 10 am at the Townplace Suites conference room located at 1219 West Hwy 40, Vernal, UT. The graveside will be Friday April 17th at 2 pm at the Vernal