Corilla "Kay" Ann Leifeste

Corilla “Kay” Ann Leifeste was born on July 27, 1938, in Mason, Texas, to Clarence and Mildred (Bankston) Schuessler. A proud Texan throughout her life, she found joy in tending her garden, searching for arrowheads in the Hill Country, traveling across the United States and overseas, birdwatching, and spending cherished time with her great-grandchildren. She also loved the scent of lavender, Friday night football games, blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, and sharing a cold beer with friends in Cherokee, Texas.

Kay built a respected career in her community. In 1969 she helped establish Peoples Savings & Loan, and in 1973 she became the first female president of the Llano Chamber of Commerce. She later served at Llano Regional Hospital as a Medical Clerk, Admissions Supervisor, and Radiology Clerk. Above all, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, wife, and friend who left a lasting mark on the Llano community.

She was preceded in death by her three children, Joe Paul McDaniel, Debra Kay McDaniel Ousley, and Nancy Dawn McDaniel Fordyce, her sister Cleo Beth Cooper, and her former husbands Paul “Bud” McDaniel, Larkin Schmidt, and Dayton Leifeste.

Kay is survived by her sister Linda McFarland and husband Dan, her sons-in-law J.R. Ousley and Bill Fordyce, eight grandchildren—Bradley Cook (Karen), Kayla Cook, J.W. Hudson (Sophia), Amy Bonney (Josh), Larkin Fordyce (Mandy), Katy Fordyce (Tanner), Colby Ousley, and Casey Ousley—and nine great-grandchildren: Abygail Cook, Sarah Cook, Alyssa Cook, Kate Hudson, Kymber Hudson, Lilly Bonney, Jackson Fordyce, Caden Ousley, and Tristan Ousley. She will be laid to rest next to Larkin Schmidt in Llano, Texas.