Layla Dawn Mahan-McKinnon

Layla Dawn Mahan-McKinnon, 51, Austin, TX  passed peacefully on May 14, 2024 at St. David’s Hospital. 

Layla Mahan was born January 11, 1973 the daughter of Marylin Mahan Brickley, granddaughter of Lorene and Glen Mahan. 

Layla lived in Seneca, MO all of her young life graduating in the Seneca class of 1991.  Where she went on to receive her Paralegal Studies from MSSU, Joplin MO.  Layla moved to San Antonio, Texas in the late 90’s and fell in love with Texas. Layla’s job at the time took her to Portland, OR for a few years where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice in 2009 from Portland State University. Layla missed Texas so much that she returned there and received her Masters degree in Justice Policy in 2013 from The University of Texas San Antonio.  Layla graduated with honors and multiple awards from every school or university she attended. 

Layla was preceded in death by her mother Marylin Mahan, and grandparents Glen and Lorene Mahan. 

Layla is survived by her sisters, Amanda Garner, Webb City, MO,  Jessica Simmons, Joplin, MO and their families. Layla is also survived by countless friends and co-workers who, together with her family, will miss her terribly and have treasured her deeply. Layla touched and impacted so many lives and created bonds and networks that have transcended distance and time. 

Layla is known for her incredible intelligence, beautiful smile, dry wit and humor, her love for books and gardening, her sweet adoration for her cat Stella, her independent spirit, her kindness and love for others, and her love for adventure and the outdoors. 

Layla began her career with the Texas Department of Public Safety in July 2012, beginning with the Education, Training, and Research (ETR) Division as an Administrative Assistant before moving to the Intelligence and Counterterrorism (ICT) Division a year later. She became an integral part of the ICT Division, serving in a variety of positions. Layla first served as a Research Specialist in the Watch Intelligence and Information Program (WIIP). She then promoted to a Crime Analyst and eventually a Criminal Intelligence Analyst I with the Homeland Security Unit, rounding out her career as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst II Intelligence & Counter Terrorism Division with the Texas Capitol Region and the Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Program She spent the bulk of her career in the Homeland Security Unit of ICT, serving as a respected subject matter expert in her field. In the latter half of her career, Layla served as an Intelligence Supervisor with the Texas DPS Capitol Region and had recently moved to work with the Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting 

The celebration of life will begin at the Texas Capitol at 2pm on June 2, 2024. Texas DPS will present a flag to the family and do an escort from the Capitol grounds in Layla's honor and memory. The escort will lead family and friends to the Celebration of Life venue.

The Celebration of Life will be held at The Cathedral in Austin, Texas on 16th street and will begin at 3pm, following the Trooper escort from the Capitol of Texas.

A second celebration of life will be held in her home town of Seneca, MO on June 22nd beginning at 1:00 pm at the Seneca cemetery (Oklahoma side) with a gathering of friends and family to follow at the Lost Creek Event Center, 1406 Cherokee Ave, Seneca MO. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Layla’s honor to your local humane society or  local library.