Laura Bates Lavespere left this world peacefully at her home in Natchitoches on Sunday, July 13th , 2025, and went to be with the Lord just one week shy of her 101st birthday.
She was born in Red River Parish, July 20, 1924 to Robert F. Bates and Ollie Waters Bates. She completed elementary school in Coushatta and graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1941. She then attended Normal College, which is now Northwestern State University.
During World War II, she worked for Consolidated Steel Shipyard as a secretary. After the war she returned to Natchitoches and was employed as a secretary to Natchitoches Parish School Superintendent, E.A. Lee. In 1955 she was employed by Normal College as an account clerk and later retired from Northwestern State University in 1980 as Controller. She was employed by Natchitoches Parish Assessor’s Office as an accountant from 1984 through 2011.
Laura was a member of First Baptist Church since 1937, and taught Sunday school class for children for many years. She was also a member of Women’s Mission Society and worked at the Love and Care Mission. She was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter since 1994.
She was preceded in death by Robert F and Ollie Waters Bates, her husband of 50 years, Eugene H. Lavespere, Sr., brothers Walter F Bates, Curtis D Bates, Charles Bates, Ray Bates, sisters Della Bates Pardue, Bobbie Dykes Odom, as well as special nieces, Jean Lowery and Jane Dyer. She is survived by her son, Eugene (Sonny) Lavespere, Jr, daughter-in-law Rebecca Lavespere and granddaughter Aimee Lavespere, nieces Charlotte Mobley, Kathy Spurlock (Steve), Robert (Bob) Hebert, Larry Dykes, and great nieces and nephews Ashley Mobley Irish and Jason Hebert (Amanda), and great great nieces and nephews, Gracie, Anne Marie and Chandler Hebert.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 17 from 10am – 12n at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Brother Tommy Rush will officiate a service and celebration of life at 12 noon following visitation. Interment at Memory Lawn Cemetery will follow the service.
Pallbearers will be Jason Hebert, Hugh Gentry, Chandler Hebert, Barry Antee, Edwin Donohoe, Kris Presson, and Honorary Pallbearer Warren Massia.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mary Antee, a dear friend and caretaker of Laura for over 35 years. Many other caregivers were with her during her final weeks. These ladies Mary Moran, Debra Matthews, Debra Jones, Mary Johnson, Thelma Rachal, Ashley Blake and Rose Gistarb lovingly cared for her. We would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Natchitoches especially Dominick Metoyer, Joie Isgitt and Marianna Martinez.
First Baptist Church of Natchitoches
First Baptist Church of Natchitoches
Memory Lawn Cemetery
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