Lydia Lauer

Lydia Lanier Bagley Lauer passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025 at the age of 74.
Born on April 19, 1950in Newellton, Louisiana, Lydia was the daughter of George and Barbara Bagley of St. Joseph, Louisiana. She was the youngest sibling of Michele and Buddy Bagley. As a child she was intently focused on details and very artistically inclined. She always noticed the circumstances of people and animals around her. Lydia especially cared for those who struggled with life whether they be people or animals. Being very shy and quiet she took in details most people didn't notice.
Since kindergarten was optional at the time, Lydia waited until first grade to start school at Davidson in St. Joseph. She began reading the newspaper at three and was soon moved to second grade to be more challenged. As a child she accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized into the First Baptist Church of St. Joseph. After finishing high school at Joseph Moore Davidson High in St. Joseph she attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana where she received national acclaim for her projects in Interior Design. Following graduation from Tech Lydia and a fellow student opened a design studio in Alexandria, Louisiana. That was to be short-lived as she did not like charging customers for her artistic ideas. She packed up and enrolled at Louisiana State University to work on her Masters in Art. She spent a summer in Europe and a second one in Rome studying the masters.
During her time in Rome, she sketched in charcoal the work of famed
sculptors, Michelangelo and Bernini. Of note is her sketch of Michelangelo's Pieta depicting The Virgin Mary cradling Jesus after he was taken down from the cross graphically displaying her sorrow and compassion. She also sketched his statue of David depicting the moment before he released his slingshot to kill Goliath. The sculptures of Bernini surrounding St. Peter's Basilica held a special fascination for her because they featured dramatic movement and captured emotional moments. Lydia received her Master's Degree in Art then worked with the State Department of Transportation In drafting highway overpasses in Baton Rouge.
Following her time keeping office hours, she returned home to St. Joseph
, married Allen Lauer and settled into a quiet life of cotton farming. Allen passed away in 2000 at the age of 45. Lydia had no children but spent her time watching after her herd of cattle, her registered Quarter Horse, Buckshot, her many pedigreed dogs, and lots of folks less fortunate.
In later years, she enjoyed living in her parents' home on Lake Bruin watching the farming operation on Sunnyside Plantation, gazing at the boats passing by, and basking in the sunrises, sunsets, and the moonshines on the lake. Her constant companion was her little squirrel dog, Chip.
Lydia was diagnosed with late-stage multiple myeloma just 4 short weeks before her passing. She passed away peacefully at M D Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas on March 26, 2025, at 10:30 in the morning. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Lauer, her parents, George and Barbara Bagley of St. Joseph, Louisiana and a niece, Deanna Bagley McCrohan of Houston, Texas.
Lydia is survived by her brother, George R. Bagley, Jr. of St. Joseph, La. and her sister, Michele Schulz and husband Steve Schulz of Baton Rouge, La., her nieces Elise Laurent (Johnny) of Hamilton, Tx., Marci Schneblen ( Kyle) of Baton Rouge, La, Marlo Lietz (Matt) of Houston, Tx., Brooke Kinnard (Roger) of Pensacola, Fl., and nephew Blake Bagley (Gen) of St. Joseph, La. In addition, she is survived by many special great nieces and nephews. Ryan Laurent (Kelsy), and daughter Natalie Laurent of Plano, Tx., Whitney Rowland (A.J.) and son Travis Rowland of Chattanooga, Tn., Morgan Schnebelen and Haley Schnebelen of Baton Rouge, La., Harris Bagley Webb and Laura Lietz of Houston, Tx., Alex Bryan (Connor) and son Callum Bryan of Houston, Tx., Rex Ensminger of Houston, Tx., Garrett Kinnard, Benjamin Kinnard, and Marshall Kinnard of Pensacola, Fl., as well as close companions Delores Farris and Kayla Lawson, and her dog, Chip.
Lydia's family is planning a graveside service on Monday, April 7, 2025 at Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton, La. at 11:00 A.M. with The Reverend T. J. Boyd of the First Baptist Church of St. Joseph officiating. Friends and family are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to her favorites: St. Jude's of Memphis, Tn. and the Tensas Parish Library in St. Joseph, La.
Pallbearers will be her nephew, Blake Bagley, and cousins: Jim, Bill Sid, Johnnie, Thomas, and Scott Crigler.