Laura I. Fletcher 1939-2024

Surrounded by loved ones, Laura I. Fletcher (nee English) of Allen was called home into the arms of her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2024.

Born in Alba on June 5, 1939 to the late Joseph Wesley English and Laura Lillian (Alexander) English, Laura was predeceased by 18 siblings and half-siblings.

Her spirit is carried on by her devoted husband of 62 years, Wilson Lee Fletcher; two loving sons and their wives: Derek Leland Fletcher and Christine Elisabeth (Reed) Fletcher; Scott Lyle Fletcher and Raelene Sue (Hancock) Fletcher; five grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; her adoring sister, Lynne Alexander; and close family friends Jason Weigler and Kris Kizer who she loved as sons.

Laura graduated from Alba-Golden High School in May 1957. She met Wilson in 1960 at First National Bank of Fort Worth where they both worked and later married on June 17, 1962. She was an Air Force wife in Greenville, Miss., a Realtor for Senter Realtors in Abilene, a life insurance agent for Bankers Life, and a loan officer for USAA in San Antonio for over 20 years before retiring in 2013.

The job Laura loved and valued the most, though, was being a mother and grandmother. Her children were the absolute joy of her life, and she was fully invested in them. Laura was their biggest cheerleader – encouraging their efforts in sports, music, academics and careers, supporting them in whatever path they pursued. She was an ever-steady spiritual guide, ready with a word of wisdom, sound advice or a wooden spoon on the rare occasions that called for it.

But parenting was simply a warm-up act for Laura. While some people devote their time and treasure to hobbies, Laura’s grandkids were her hobby. And she relished the role, taking childhood to a whole new level of fun. She arranged for live bunnies to be their pets at Easter, beach vacations on the Gulf Coast every year, visiting drive-through zoos, building pillow forts, Barbie castles and Lego cities in the living room, backyard carnivals with games and snow cone machines, swimming pools in the garage, inflatable water slides every summer and countless hours of driving Lightning McQueen up and down the street to feed the neighboring horses or explore the woods behind the house. Every holiday visit and summer adventure ended with a personalized photo book for each grandchild and a “surprise” $5 bill tucked inside the last page.

Just as her fingertip found its way in front of the camera lens and onto the corner of countless pictures she took of her grandchildren, Laura left an enduring imprint on Jake, Emily, Sydney, Grant and Gavin who treasure those memories with her.

After retiring and moving to the Dallas area, Laura and Wilson regularly visited retirement homes to worship and share communion with homebound residents. She had a unique gift for making the lonely and isolated feel special and loved.

A genuinely beautiful person, inside and out, Laura was a daughter of the King and an active, lifelong member of the Church of Christ – which explains how she could go about humming and singing so many hymns in a capella each day.

Laura leaves us with her legacy of unwavering faith, inner strength, selflessness, and a sunny disposition that could never be clouded – even in times of great trial and adversity. Laura lived her life with a heart of gratitude and a spirit of grit and grace.

A radiant light and blessing to everyone who knew her, Laura will be deeply missed by her family, which stretches from west to east Texas, and cherished friends at Eastridge Church of Christ in Rockwall. We take comfort in knowing she has run the race, fought the good fight, and now enjoys a banquet of bottomless chips, queso, and guacamole in a glorious mansion with a love-filled memory room and never-ending closet space.

A small family service was held at Miles Cemetery in Miles on June 20 at 10 a.m. A celebration of life event will be scheduled in Dallas later in the summer.