Laura Elizabeth Eskew

Born in El Dorado, AR on March 11,1923 to John Charles Eskew and Norma Catherine Sartori Eskew, Laura Elizabeth spent most of her life in Alexandria, LA, but later spent time in Moscow, ID, and finally, Baton Rouge, LA. She was passionate about helping people with intellectual disabilities. Through lobbying efforts at both federal and state levels, she was integral in establishing The Louisiana Association for Retarded Children, now known as The ARC of Louisiana and The John Eskew Training Center in Alexandria, now known as The ARC of Rapides. Her successful lobbying efforts led to work on local, state, and national political campaigns for the Democratic Party. She considered herself a lifelong “Yellow Dog Democrat” and served on the Democratic National Committee at many levels throughout the years. She wore many other hats in her time, most significantly by taking over the family automobile business, Eskew Motors, making her the first woman in the State of Louisiana to own and operate an automobile dealership, as well as becoming a cattle rancher and land developer. Laura Elizabeth was known even more so for her glamorous sense of fashion. Her lifelong career in the beauty and fashion industries began behind the cosmetic counter but culminated with her namesake stores in both Alexandria and Baton Rouge. She collaborated with many well-known American designers and encouraged up and coming designers to break onto the American scene.

Laura Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents John and Norma; her brother, Lt. John Charles Eskew; her son, John Eskew Campbell; and former spouses, Forrest LeRoy Campbell, Cupid Otis Penny, and Crawford Hugh "Sammy" Downs. She is survived by her daughter, Laurna Irene Campbell; her daughter-in-law, Jo Ellen Campbell; her "son in spirit", Willie Davis; granddaughters, Laurna Macon "Cupid" Hart-James and Laura Lee Beran (Chris Beran); and her great-granddaughter, Macon Elizabeth "Mei" James.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 on November 11, 2025, at 9:00am. Laura Elizabeth will be laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Pineville, LA.

In lieu of flowers, please contact The ARC Rapides regarding donations (318) 445-5287.