Marissa Eve Ashby King's Obituary
Marissa Eve Ashby King, 27, of West Valley City, returned home to her Heavenly Father on May 8th, 2026, after facing her illness with extraordinary courage, grace, and unwavering faith. She passed on her own terms, in her childhood home — the place where she first learned love, safety, and belonging — surrounded by the family who cherished her beyond measure.
Born on April 12th, 1999, in Murray, Utah, to Chadd Donavon Ashby and Holly Ann Van Wagoner, Marissa carried a quiet radiance from the very beginning. Her life was defined by compassion, creativity, loyalty, and a deep spiritual sensitivity that made others feel safe, loved, and deeply seen.
Marissa graduated from Spectrum Academy and later attended DATC, where she earned second place in the state for her exceptional culinary skills. She had a gift for creating beauty with her hands — she loved to bake, craft, and sew, and she found joy in thrift shopping with her family, always discovering treasures and turning them into something meaningful. She also had a love for dance, music, and movies, especially the Barbie Nutcracker. She loves sunflowers, cupcakes & Jesus, along with her Little Debbie cakes, play dough ice cream because of her huge sweet tooth. She had a wicked sense of humor and overcame many obstacles because of her Autism. She was an amazing artist and baker and was homecoming queen. She was excited to have made the new a couple of times for Ballet West and Weather School to let everyone know that the weather in Utah is bipolar. She loved her dog RA and the color yellow.
She also had a vibrant love for Bollywood — the colors, the music, the emotion — but even that passion could not compare to her profound love for the Savior, whose presence and teachings guided her life and sustained her through her hardest moments.
Marissa is survived by her husband, Brian Douglas King; her cherished daughter, Genevieve Esther King; and her precious son, Brandon Edward King, whose lives will forever be shaped by her tenderness and the love she poured into them.
She is also survived by her sisters: Kaysha/Toni (Michael) Androes, Ashley Ann (Lance) DeMartinis, Nikkolet Shalaye (Jarom) Christensen, Morgan Tueller, and Sarah Alexandria Ashby, her brother, Brandon Darrel‑Ray Ashby; her grandmothers, Marilyn Sunderland and Colleen Van Wagoner; and her in‑laws: Ted (Brenda) King Rachel (Chris) Bennion Stephanie King along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and loved ones who will forever feel the imprint of her spirit.
She is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Darrel Ashby and Ray Van Wagoner; her cousin, Kayla Franzoni; and her beloved Great Aunt Carolyn, whose influence and love were a treasured part of Marissa’s life.
Marissa chose the sunflower as her symbol — a reminder to turn toward the light, to stand tall in storms, and to seek warmth and hope even in difficult seasons.
Sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day, and at night, when the light is gone, they gently turn toward one another until the sun returns again.
Much like the sunflower, Marissa turned toward her family — offering strength, drawing strength, and holding fast to the promise of the return of the Son, Jesus Christ. Her life reflected that same pattern of hope, devotion, and quiet spiritual resilience.
To honor her wishes, the family invites everyone to wear yellow or sunflowers to her services. Marissa wanted her funeral to feel like a happy occasion, filled with warmth, color, and the celebration of a life that brought so much light to others.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Premier Funeral Services. Burial will take place at Memorial Redwood Mortuary & Cemetery.
Viewing: May 14th, 6:00–8:00 PM The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3836 W 4100 S, West Valley, UT 84120
Funeral Service: May 15th, Viewing from 10:00–10:45 AM, Funeral from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Same location as above
Interment: Following the service at Memorial Redwood Mortuary & Cemetery at 1:00 PM
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her mother and siblings to help with burial expenses and to help provide for her children’s future. Your generosity will directly support the two little ones who were the center of Marissa’s world.
In the end, Marissa chose peace. She chose dignity. She chose to leave this world in the place where she first learned to dream, to laugh, and to be held — her childhood home. Her passing was gentle, holy, and filled with love.
Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now free from pain, embraced by loved ones who went before her, and held in the arms of a loving Savior. They look forward with faith to the day they will be reunited with her again.
What’s your fondest memory of Marissa?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marissa?
Share a story where Marissa's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marissa you’ll never forget.
How did Marissa make you smile?
