Leona Mae Chafin

Leona Mae Chafin

“Strength and honour are her clothing; And she shall rejoice in time to come. She opened her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed…. Proverbs 31:25-28.

Leona Mae Chafin, 87, formerly of Cow Creek, left this world and graduated into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, October 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving children and granddaughter, Carlee. Born to Herman Clifford and Lora Leona Hughes on December 12, 1938, in Draffin, Pike County, Kentucky, Leona will always be remembered for her warmth, quiet strength, grace and unending devotion to her family. Her beautiful smile and infectious laughter truly lit up a room, only surpassed by her indelible gentle, kind and loving nature that came to be quickly known by all who met her. In difficult times, family and friends sought her out for kindly advice or comforting words. Somehow, she always seemed to say just the right words to bring comfort, and complemented by her big hug, she made all things right with the world at that moment.

Leona loved a good front porch—a place where memories are made. How often the family recalls the memories of her singing hymns on the front porch with her Uncle Jonah when he visited, or offering Uncle Ronald coffee and dessert while they caught up on life’s circumstances. Many a green bean were strung on that porch with her niece, Debra Meadows, who stopped by to see if she needed anything. Leona knew she was blessed. So many made regular visits to that porch—niece Julie Propst and cousin Debra Jeffers—routinely stopping by to sit for a while, laugh and share past good times and memories before offering to help her in any way they could. She was blessed and she was loved.

A woman of many talents, Leona was an accomplished seamstress sewing tailored suits for homecoming royalty and gowns for high school proms, enjoyed the homemaking arts—cooking, baking, canning, quilting, etc., was always up for a good puzzle, loved birdwatching, especially hummingbirds, and spending hours outside growing vegetables and beautifully brilliant, colorful flower beds that delighted many, often sharing her knowledge and expertise as well as new starts of her established plants, along with whatever supplies were needed to get the recipient off to a successful start and help nurture their interest in growing things.

Everyone was welcome in her home and around her table. Her generosity was often shown through her hospitality. Her caring and love for her community were most eloquently expressed through cooking for and with others. It was not unusual to come home to find one of her children’s friends sitting at the kitchen table with her, having a bite to eat, and seeking her counsel or advice. She loved large family gatherings and reunions with extended family and friends and was often called upon to provide a huge kettle of her delicious chicken and dumplings or her often-requested macaroni salad. At these gatherings, she delighted in catching up with attendees, especially with those from out of town, and all others who attended. Kindness, compassion, unwavering love and support of others, especially those who were hungry, stressed or facing adversity, neglected or lonely due to the loss of a loved one, were hallmarks of her personality. She quietly prepared food and delivered it or invited them into her home, providing not only food but also conversation and a kind, respectful word, never with fanfare or bringing attention to their circumstances, only offering comfort, a listening ear, friendship and a plate of leftovers to take with them as they went.

Leona retired from work that she enjoyed for many years as a property appraiser in the Logan County Assessor’s Office and often spoke highly of her co-workers (Dwight, Christine, Janet, Lisa, Bernice, Bonnie and Shirley) through the years. She had many good memories she shared with that team and she remembered them fondly.

Leona was a woman of strong faith whose life was her testimony. Even when her dementia robbed her of remembering her children’s names and their relationship to her, she never forgot her Lord and Savior. Her daughter would overhear Leona at night as she lay in the dark singing hymns she had sung for many years, never missing a word, or would pray softly talking to the Lord one-on-one about the trials she was going through and asking for his continued help and protection. This brought great comfort and soothed her daughter as she reflected on the goodness of God, how God never leaves us and her mother was never alone. Leona was a Christian of the Old Regular Baptist faith.

Preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Kenneth Kemper Chafin, Sr.; son, Minnis Kevin “Bo” Chafin; daughter, Lana Sue Chafin White; brothers, Richard Hughes and Clifford “Skip” Hughes; and sister, Shirley Ann Dotson, Leona is survived by her daughter with whom she made her home, Lora Chafin; son, Kenneth Kemper (Priscilla) Chafin, Jr.; daughter, Gina (Rob) Wiley; grandchildren, Brandon Chafin, Michael Chafin, Amanda Chafin, Lucinda Elkins, Carlee White, Brittany Wiley, and Brian Cull; 9 great grandchildren, Leeland Chafin, Jamie Chafin, Emerson Martinez, Brock Baisden, Braxton Baisden, Bryson Baisden, Everlee Cull, Tucker Cull, Landyn Cull, and 1 great great grandchild, Issac Baisden, as well as a host of family and friends who knew and loved her.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude and love to Georgeanna Tucker whose kindness, compassion and support to not only Leona but also the entire family made her one of the family, and to the wonderful staff at Carolina Caring for their exceptional care shown to Leona during a most difficult time.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Collins Funeral Home in Switzer, West Virginia, with James Slone officiating. Friends may call on the family before the funeral between 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill, West Virginia.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Collins Funeral Home, Inc. of Switzer, WV.