In Memory of

Laura

Lane

Clemmons

(Brian)

Obituary for Laura Lane Clemmons (Brian)

Laura Lane Brian Clemmons, 81, passed away quietly at home on September 6, 2017, surrounded by family and loving caregivers. She was born Laura Lane Brian in the summer of 1936, in Ethel, Louisiana, the eldest daughter of dairy farmers L. Eugene and Mae Brian. From these rural beginnings grew a beautiful, witty, eminently practical, and proper Southern lady with an unwavering Christian faith, an appreciation for literature, history and music, and a deep love of her family. Laura met the love of her life, William Ray (Bill) Clemmons, at the age of 15, while both were students at Clinton High School. They married soon after high school and had four children, Melissie, William Brian, Darryl Wayne, and Alicia. Laura lived in Louisiana most of her life, except for a period of eleven years when the family temporarily relocated to the small town of Fort Madison, Iowa. While living in Iowa she earned a BS degree in English Education from the University of Western Illinois, having returned to school when her children reached high school age. She then taught for a number of years at Brighton Academy in Baton Rouge. She was a charter member of Redeemer Baptist Church on S Harrell’s Ferry Road, and active church worker until the onset of Alzheimer’s disease several years ago. Introverted by nature, Laura mostly enjoyed quiet activities and often seemed to be happiest when reading. She was especially drawn to memoirs, the poems of William Blake, and the short stories of Flannery O’Connor and Eudora Welty. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, and taking walks. Laura is survived by her husband of 62 years, William Ray Clemmons; a sister, Connie Lee Brian Howard; her children, William Brian, Darryl Wayne and Alicia Clemmons; a daughter-in-law; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents L. Eugene (Genie) and Mae Pence Brian and a daughter, Melissie C. Rumizen. In addition to special friends (too many to mention) and fellow church members, the family offers special thanks to Penny Calligan, a loving, skilled and faithful caregiver for the past 12 months of Laura’s life; the Life Source Hospice Services staff, particularly Case Manager Lorraine Crifasi and Home Health Aide Joanie Wells; and, to her primary care physician Dr. Joseph Albergamo. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to noon on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Redeemer Baptist Church, 14140 S. Harrell’s Ferry Road in Baton Rouge, to be followed immediately by the funeral service. There will also be a brief service at Redwood Baptist Church cemetery, near Slaughter, LA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lottie Moon Missions Fund, via Redeemer Baptist Church.