Laura Yates

Laura Yates 1930-2015 LUBBOCK-A firecracker has popped for the last time. Laura received word that the angels had taught her husband how to waltz and it was time for her to join him in heaven. She put on a party dress, grabbed her dancing shoes and flew off to see what he had learned. Laura was born on the 4th of July. Fiercely patriotic and always happy to share her birthday with the nation she loved so dear. The year of her birth doesn't matter because her grandchildren think she is as old as America. Those grandchildren are Sara, Aletheia, Liam and Claire, the children of her son, William B. Payne, all who survive her. She is also survived by her daughter, Ellen Hurst and her sister, Nan Mitchell. Some of her favorite things were - watermelon, all grandkids, Chihuahua dogs, and fresh caught catfish. Laura wore many hats in her life - daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Laura started out early in life loving to write and write she did. She published a book of poetry when she was just 22 following the advice of her favorite high school English teacher who told her to write and not waste her God given talent. She put aside that desire in order to raise her children. Later in life one of her doctors told her she should take up writing again and told her to Just write, so when she was a grandmother, she began to write again. She was always surprised that an editor would want to print her words and pay her for writing them. Laura wrote historical short stories, essays, health related articles, and poetry. Poetry was her voice of choice and that sweet voice is silent on the earth now. However, as the title of her book declared (and) Life is Sweet and Life is Good because while she and her chosen man in the Air Force blue can no longer Waltz Across Texas, they will waltz across heaven together. So this is goodbye? The love we knew Shall be only a memory. So this is goodbye? You are going from me, But someday I'll find you And hold you again. So this is goodbye? 1952 Laura Crowder.