From its storied origins as “Stirman’s Folly” to its modern-day mission of compassionate service, Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home has long been a fixture in Owensboro’s history. Now led by Megan Morris and her mother, Kay Everly, the funeral home remains proudly family-owned.
Morris said it’s the only funeral home in town operated by a female president.
“We’ve really just been trying to get it out there that it’s still family-owned — by my mother and me,” Morris said. “With the passing of my father, there have been a lot of questions, but we’ve carried on the legacy.”
Morris’s father, Mike Everly, began working at the funeral home in 1962 and became president in 1978. Kay Grant joined the staff in 1980, and the couple married in 1982. They purchased the business in 1998; today, Morris continues that tradition as president.
Morris, who started working at the funeral home as a teenager, said she takes pride in the evolving makeup of her team. Nearly all of Haley-McGinnis’s funeral directors are women, a rarity in the industry.
“I think what’s so incredible about Haley is that we have mostly women who can give that special, empathetic feel and touch to every family who walks through the door,” she said.
The building itself has an equally rich history. Originally built by Dr. William Doswell Stirman around 1860 at a cost of $5,000 — an amount considered excessive at the time — the mansion earned the nickname “Stirman’s Folly.” Designed in the Italianate style with a Tuscan tower, it once featured 14-foot ceilings, a spiral staircase, and a four-story tower. However, many original elements were altered or removed over time.
The house was owned by several notable individuals, including tobacconist Samuel R. Ewing, before being purchased by Haley-McGinnis in 1945. It was named a Kentucky Heritage Landmark in 1970 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
But for Morris, the history is more than bricks and mortar — it’s about trust.
“I was taught from a very early age to always be honest and be there for the people you love,” she said. “It is a job, but it’s also a lifestyle. Our families can feel that when they come to us.”
She said the business thrives on relationships that span generations.
“You serve one family member, and then you serve the rest,” she said. “That’s how we’ve built trust in the community over time.”
With over many decades of service behind them and more than 17,000 square feet of history under their roof, she said Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home is a symbol of legacy, leadership, and loyalty.
“We have a team that does such an incredible job,” Morris said. “And I’m really proud the community can continue to rely on us during their most difficult times.”
