Laura Margaret "Lauret" McLemore

Laura Margaret McClanahan McLemore died December 1, 2025 at age 98. She was born November 4,1927 in Columbus, MS to Hick and Alice McClanahan and was known to family and friends as Lauret, a combination of her birth name. She grew up in a large and loving extended family which spent summer months at the McClanahan family camp where she enjoyed playing with many cousins. She is the last surviving member of her generation.

Laura was a graduate of S.D. Lee High School as editor of the school paper and valedictorian of the 1945 graduating class. She matriculated for two years at Mississippi College for Women (MSCW), her hometown college, and then transferred to Sophie Newcomb, the women's college of Tulane University. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Phi Mu sorority. She graduated in 1949 with honors and, after graduation, Laura moved to Atlanta and worked at the Southern Telephone News. In 1951 she married Jimmy McLemore and moved with him around Georgia with Chevron Corp., returning to Atlanta in 1964. Laura and Jimmy were married 63 years until his death in 2015.

Laura is survived by her three daughters: Lauret Howard (Bruce), Alice Thompson (Joe), Mary Margaret Young (Tom); grandchildren Cary and Katie Lockett, Chelsea Darcy (Sean), Adam and Ben Thompson, and Laura Woodward (Richie), Graham and Blakeslee Young; great grandchildren James, Greyson, Avery Woodward; and nephews Jan and Ray McClanahan.

A memorial service conducted by Reverend John Simmons will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 13 at 3 p.m. St. James is located at 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. Please use the parking lot from Loridans Drive. Laura served St. James for years as communion steward and co-chair of the reception committee. She was active in Sunday School, bible study and the circle group.

The family wishes to thank Trudy Pierre, Cece Orea and Glenda Medina from Emmanuel Health Services for their loving care of Mom in her final years.

Flowers or memorials to St. James UMC are welcome.

McLemore, McClanahan, Laura Margaret "Lauret"