Kayla Iman Motley

Kayla Iman Motley was born in Boston, MA, on April 4, 1996. She grew up in Stoughton, MA, and graduated from Stoughton High School, where she was an outstanding student and superior athlete. Kayla earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, majoring in Social Thought and Political Economy. She had a passion for public service and giving back to the greater Boston community, which led to her work at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute and as a development team member at Partners in Health. Kayla grew up on the UMass Boston campus and was very proud of the recent naming of Motley Residence Hall. 

​

Kayla was known for her beautiful smile and generous spirit. She loved to travel with family, including cruises to the Caribbean, leadership missions to Costa Rica, and trips to London and Paris with her Mom and Grandmother Gloria. She also enjoyed visiting her sister Jordan in Miami and New York City and her extended family in Pittsburgh and the DMV. Kayla loved Martha’s Vineyard and was instrumental in her parents changing from wanting to purchase a home in Nassau, Bahamas, to selecting Oak Bluffs, MA. She often traveled with Jordan to be with her cousins for dining and fun across the country. Kayla’s friends brought so much joy to her life, as did spending time in Boston for nights on the town, dancing and screaming at concerts, and binge-watching reality TV shows. Everyone expected a slice of Kayla’s famous “Giant Coconut Cake” at the annual Motley Cookout.

​

Kayla loved sports, often playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. Among her favorite pastimes were watching the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, and Boston Red Sox (especially Big Papi). She loved fishing in the backyard with her Dad at their home on Ames Pond, often winning the first and biggest fish competition. Sometimes she even cheered for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make her Daddy happy and to mess with her big brother Keith Allyn whom she loved unconditionally.

​

Kayla is survived by her mother, Angela Motley, and father, Dr. J Keith Motley; brother, Keith Allyn Motley (Marie, Maya, and Michael); sister, Jordan Motley; grandmother, Cornelia Williams; grandfather, Charles Lester; great aunts Jeannette Williams, Barbara Parker, Maxine Holman, Marie Nunley; great uncle Thomas Motley (Lillie); aunts, Kimberly Motley-Phillips (Gonzell), Julie Motley-Williams, Lesia Motley-Hughes, Vicki Motley, Dr. Stephanie Lester-Simmonds (Dale). Cousins: Pam Massey, Kim Lester, Charles Proctor (Yolanda), Khalil Nash, John Robinson, Tinika Spells (Alfonso), Sean Motley (Briana) , Nia Phillips, Terresa Baksh (Kemal), Imani Motley, Rashaad Phillips, Nile Simmonds, David L. Hughes, Ian Simmonds; and many other family members and close friends she considered extended family. 

​

Kayla is preceded in death by her grandfather John Motley; grandmother, Gloria Lester; grandfather, Leandrew Williams; great aunts Lorraine Briscoe and Dorothy Higgs; uncle Rev. John Motley III; and sister-cousin Jewelle Lei Motley.

 

In lieu of flowers, The Motley Family is requesting contributions to the Kayla Motley Memorial Fund at Eastern Bank. 397 Washington St. | Stoughton, MA 02072.