It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lela Mae McGuffin, who left us peacefully at the age of 95 on May 18, 2025, at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown. Born on January 26, 1930, in Big Clifty, Lela was a beloved daughter of the late Clyde Henry and Thelma Mae Aubrey Hay.
Lela was a vibrant spirit who filled the lives of those around her with love and warmth. She had a special fondness for collecting salt and pepper shakers, and her large garden was a testament to her green thumb and nurturing nature. For over 40 years, she dedicated her time to the Leitchfield Stockyards Restaurant, where she created not only meals but memories for countless friends and patrons.
Lela is now reunited with her husband, Arnold McGuffin, and her beloved siblings, Cecil Hay, Dorothy Quiggins, and Betty Howard, who preceded her in death.
She leaves behind her cherished son, David McGuffin (Margaret); her grandson, Shannon McGuffin (Amber); and her two great-granddaughters, Katie and Lilly McGuffin. Her sisters, Barbara Skaggs, Faye McCarty (Paul), and Pauline Tomes will carry her memory forward, as will all who had the privilege of knowing her.
The family will hold funeral services to celebrate Lela’s remarkable life on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM CST at Leitchfield Funeral Home.
Friends and family are invited to gather for visitation on Wednesday, May 21, from 6:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST, and again on Thursday morning from 9:00 AM CST until the service. Lela will be laid to rest in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, where her spirit will forever bloom among the flowers she loved so dearly.
We invite you to share your memories and leave messages of condolence for Lela’s family. Join us in honoring a life well-lived by signing her virtual guestbook at www.leitchfieldfh.com. Your kindness and support mean so much to her family during this time.
