Ashley Morgan McKay made her transition to heaven in the early morning hours of August 3, 2024, ending her battle with colon cancer.

She was born August 20, 1981, in Hayti, MO to Barry Evan and Nickey Marla Hines McKay. Ashley was welcomed home by sisters, Corbet and Whitney, and then soon followed by her brother, Kadon.

Ashley attended school at Hayti R2 School District and graduated with the Class of 1999. Throughout her youth, Ashley was actively involved in volleyball, softball, and cheerleading, along with other clubs and organizations. She was a member of the First Baptist Church Youth group where she was saved and baptized. She also worked at Apple Barrell throughout high school and while she was attending cosmetology school.

Ashley attended cosmetology school in Caruthersville, MO.  After receiving her license, she initially worked at The New You.  Ashley then went on to open her own salon that everyone fondly remembers as "Blondies".

Ashley and Charles welcomed their first daughter, Macen Chaley McKay on July 18, 2001. They welcomed their second daughter, Blythe Kinley McKay, on November 24, 2008.

Eventually, Ashley made her way to New Orleans, LA, where she studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She began her journey to get closer to God and developed relationships with others in her community. Her friends remember her as being beautiful inside and out.  Her faith and personal testimony were encouraging and uplifting to all of those who were able to hear it.

Ashley is survived by her mother, Nickey (Brad Ballagh); her sister Corbet and nephew, Evan Darby; her sister Whitney and nephew, Trevan Shuburte; her stepbrother Taylor (Alex) and their children Anna and Beaux Ballagh; her daughter Macen (Bryar) and their children, Amari, Luxx, and Stori Crayne; her daughter Blythe, and their brother, Alex Craig, along with a host of other friends and family.

Ashley had a gift. She had the ability of being her true self, no matter how different or uncommon it was. She loved with her whole heart and if she didn't like you…. You knew it. When you got in her chair, the magic happened. She could make anyone feel their best self in one sitting. She listened to everyone and had a comeback with sass, if it was needed. One of her dear and oldest friends said it best, "Ashley dared to color outside the lines and was unapologetically Ashley. That is what I admired the most, you never cared what people said or thought about you. You were real and authentic in what you wanted and who you were as a person."

Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. at the John W. German Funeral Home in Hayti, MO. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayti.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Ashley Mckay Memorial Fund at the Bank of Missouri.