Laura Wanstrath

Laura McMurrey Wanstrath, lovingly known by most as "Bubba," passed away as peacefully and gracefully as she lived her life on March 26, 2025, at the age of 83. It is easy to picture her arrival in heaven - grinning widely, sparkling brightly, and most certainly dancing to the sweet sounds of Elvis.

Born on November 4, 1941, in West Columbia, Texas to Anna Laura "Miss Anna" Weems and Leonidas "Cap" Lafayette McMurrey, Laura was the youngest of three siblings - joining her beloved brother, Leonidas Lafayette "Butch" McMurrey, Jr and sister, Patrica Ann McMurrey Sims - who remained among her closest companions throughout life. As the youngest of 40+ cousins and surrounded by 16 aunts and uncles, Laura grew up in a big, lively family where she quickly learned how to hold her own. It was within this bustling family that one of the most enduring parts of her story was born: when Butch, hoping for a younger brother, instead got Laura - he quickly nicknamed her "Bubba," a name that stuck and came to embody her playful, loving spirit to all who knew her.

Laura married George Riley Wanstrath, her first great love, on August 27, 1966 in West Columbia, Texas. Together they created a vibrant and loving family. They raised four children while building a life that spanned Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Texarkana, Texas. After George's passing in 1998, Laura made her way to Dallas, carrying forward her trademark zest for life.

The Wanstrath home in Texarkana was more than just a house - it was a home base for laughter, friendship, and memories. With a steady stream of kids and their friends, pool parties, dirt bikes, and just the right amount of mischief, it was where everyone wanted to be. Bubba welcomed them all - but not without putting them to work first. If you showed up at the Wanstrath house, you were just as likely to be handed a rake as you were a popsicle.

Laura was the heartbeat of a true tennis family. With all four kids playing, tennis was part of the family's rhythm. Laura loved every second, proudly cheering them on from the sidelines. Her job as a surgical nurse wasn't just a career - it was also a way to make sure she never missed a match.

Later in life, Laura found a second great love with Rene Grossman. Together, they shared 15 wonderful years full of laughter, dancing, and grand adventures across Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Laura was adored by Rene and his family, who welcomed her as part of their own.

Laura's love extended beyond her family. As a gifted surgical nurse, she brought comfort, compassion, and skill to her patients and formed lifelong friendships with her colleagues, who became like family. Even after retiring - joking that they had to "kick her out" at nearly seventy - those friendships remained among her most treasured gifts.

Laura lived for the simple joys: cheering at tennis matches, dancing to Elvis (or anything for that matter), scavenging estate sales, and never turning down a scoop of Braum's ice cream. Every Christmas, she poured love into her homemade eggnog, a labor of joy that became a beloved tradition. And each summer, the highlight of her year was the annual Gulf Shores beach trip, where three generations gathered to laugh, play, and soak up the sunshine.

Laura lived boldly, loved deeply, and sparkled from the inside out - never leaving home without a little bling and a lot of heart. But more than anything, she chose joy, and by her example, she taught all who knew her how to find it, even in life's hardest moments.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and sparkle in her children and grandchildren:

Minnette and John Murray: Anna, Jack, George, and Alex

Ruth Anna and Trevor Palmer: Riley, Conners, and Mason

Martha and Murrey Wanstrath: Boyd and Laura

Shelby and Dunny Wanstrath: Georgia and Mac

The family warmly invites you to a celebration of Laura's radiant life on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Munger Place Church in Dallas, TX. A reception will follow at Lakewood Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the UT Southwestern Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Her joyful spirit will be carried forward by all who knew and loved her.