Leigh Lockhart's Obituary
Leigh Lockhart, 61, of Columbia, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family. Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Green Acres Cemetery at 1:00 PM.
Leigh Anne Lockhart, 61, a beloved guiding light and assiduous practitioner of “Goodness for All”, passed away at home while surrounded by loved ones on Monday, March 30th. Ever-dedicated to efficiency, Leigh adopted a “radical acceptance” of the cancer that swiftly took her. Leigh’s life deserves five stars, and the multitude who fiercely loved her would like to speak to a manager about this devastating loss.
Leigh was born in St. Louis, MO, to Nell and Reverend Jim Lockhart on January 26th, 1965. It is impossible to know how many dog-eared journals contain the details of Leigh’s birth for the purpose of astrological assessment; indomitable leaders such as Leigh tend to inspire curiosity, as if there must be some code to be cracked beyond committed and principled tenacity. In high school, Leigh was elected Class President, as well as Student Council President. She adopted a plant-based diet at age 20, while completing her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Art History. In accordance with the directives of an upbringing and education such as this, Leigh bought a truck and explored the California coast. Since the only thing cooler than an audacious feminist driving a cool truck is that same person deftly handling a cool motorcycle, she did that, too. Leigh had the kind of depth and innate attention to detail that others might spend a lifetime attempting to emulate.
Main Squeeze, Leigh’s plant-based restaurant, community-building space, and magnum opus, had its humble beginnings as a fresh juice and smoothie stand in Lakota Coffee in 1996. She opened the landmark brick-and-mortar the same year. Over the next 25 years, Leigh poured her endless, powerful soul into the venerated institution that was Main Squeeze, feeding both those who came to know her bright eyes, acerbic wit, and warm smile, and those who could not afford to eat in restaurants, or at all, for that matter. When Leigh said “Goodness for All”, she meant it. She was deeply passionate in her belief that all people deserve to be fed, and that they deserve food that is good for them. Leigh was a dedicated advocate and contributor to CoMo Mobile Aid Collective, Loaves & Fishes, Centro Latino, The Boone County Community Bail Fund, Second Chance, and countless other benevolent causes that support nutritional health, safety for marginalized populations, animal welfare, and reproductive freedom. She volunteered as the host of KOPN’s World Woman from 2004-2007, where she made a concerted effort to incorporate the music of local musicians, and where she was deemed as “The Queen of Fundraising”. In typical Leigh fashion, she founded a vegan ice cream company, Oso Cremoso, as an intersectional plan for retirement. Leigh’s interpretation of retirement did not include more than a few minutes on a beach lounger. She was here to get things done. Even those with ideologically differing views respected Leigh’s hard work and conviction.
While Leigh’s spirit and multi-generational impact remains, she leaves behind her loving brother, Mark, sister-in-law Krysten, their three daughters, and Mark’s son. Leigh’s fur-kids, Scully and Jojo, will remain together and spoiled with attention, just as Leigh would have wanted. If your child inadvertently learned to curse while within earshot of Leigh, no extra charge will be applied to your bill. Leigh believed that education should be free.
Leigh Anne Lockhart will forever remain in our hearts as family, cherished friend, and luminary moral compass. When sacrificing for the greater good feels intimidating or overwhelming, we have the heuristic cartography that Leigh gave us, and which she would forgo taking credit for, citing instead the community that she nurtured.
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