Laura Mahala Lawrence Parsons of South Charleston, departed this earth on February 13, 2024 to be with Jesus her Savior, the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." She was surrounded by her loving family.

Laura was a daughter of the late Thurman and Mildred Lawrence. She was born on October 10, 1936.

She was predeceased by her brothers Wesley and Lyle Lawrence.

As a 1954 graduate of Washington District High School, she was a cheerleader, on the National Honor Society, a representative for Girl's State and Future Teachers of America, and a member of the school orchestra and all county orchestra (she played the clarinet). Laura met the love of her life, Jack Parsons, at Ruth Church and married him in the Fall after graduation.

At the age of 32, and after having her 4th child, she followed her dream of being a teacher and enrolled at Morris Harvey College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Because of her troubled and challenging childhood (not of her own making), she wanted to make a difference in the lives of children.

After graduating college, she became a teacher in Kanawha County Schools and taught at Alum Creek, Village, and Bridgeview Elementaries. We affectionately referred to her as the "child whisperer" because she could reach any child and show them how fun and valuable that learning could be. Mom organized school clogging and folk dancing groups, school trips to Disney World, King's Island, and Cass Scenic Railroad. Mom loved teaching with all of her being.

Mom fostered a love of music in her children and grandchildren, encouraging them to participate in school chorus and band programs, as well as the choir at church. Mom enjoyed singing more than anything. She was a longtime member of the Sanctuary Choir at Dunbar First Church of God where she served as choir president for many years. We can see her now with her hand high in the air praising God in the "heavenly choir". Mom taught the Adult II Sunday School Class for over 30 years.

Always having to stay busy, she loved working in her flowers, mowing, trimming, and even tinkering in the house. She caught many fish in the Lost River and different places in Hardy County at the family camp. She loved taking her children on picnics, chopping Christmas Trees in the woods (with the pets following), horse back riding, wading in the creek, and having all sorts of fun for her children.

Mom always stood for biblical truths and was never shy about spreading her love for Jesus to anyone she met. She taught all of us that the most important thing we could ever do is to love the Lord with all our hearts, all our minds, and all of our soul, and to serve Him faithfully.

Her forever quote: "All you can do is the best you can do and the Lord expects our best". We love you mom and look forward to seeing you in Heaven.

Surviving family left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of sixty-nine years, Jack L. Parsons; her children, Melody Potter (Rob) of South Charleston, Kevin Parsons (Nancy) of Monroe, Georgia, Kelly Parsons of Saint Albans, and Lori A. McCormick of Tornado. Mom was the grandmother of seven grandchildren, and ten, soon to be eleven, great grandchildren. She will also be sorely missed by her dear sister, Rose Ann Burgraff.

A special thank you to caregivers, Kanisha Booker, Dawn Casto, Sara Burns, and to family members.

The service to honor her life and honor God will be at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Dunbar First Church of God located at 1234 Payne Avenue, Dunbar, West Virginia 25064 with Dr. Larry McCallister officiating. A private graveside service will take place at a later date.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar..
www.kellerfuneralhome.net