Laura Alice Doster-Holbrook Chase

Laura Alice Doster-Holbrook Chase, 75, of Athens, GA died October 19, 2016 of complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born January 14, 1941 in Athens, GA to the late Robert Lewis Doster and Clara Langford Doster.

Laura graduated from Athens High School class of 1959, received a Master’s degree from Georgia State University and completed her post-secondary education at the University of Georgia, culminating in a doctorate in Children’s Literature. She taught school in earlier years and remained a learner and educator throughout her life. Laura had a great love of reading and was frequently seen with a book in hand and a cup of Jittery Joe’s coffee in the other. She enjoyed politics and lively debate and would be thrilled with the possibility the United States could elect its first female president. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Athens and embraced a lifelong spiritual journey that led her to a more open and inclusive view of the sacred and the world around her.

Laura is survived by her husband, Dr. Silas Chase Read, Jr. of Athens; her children, Abigail Holbrook (Joe Hill), Langford D. Holbrook, and J. Andrew Holbrook (Suzanna Moore); stepdaughters, Becky Read (Patrick Herold), Jennifer Read Werfel (Ken Straup) and Melissa Read Healy (Tim); and her older brother, Robert Doster (Erna). Laura is also survived by all of her 11 grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 20 years old and a number of beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was immensely proud of her family, loved them dearly, and found great joy in bringing her family together in community.

Her daughter Abigail shared these words…”What a woman...what a mama. She taught me to be strong of voice and steady of emotion. She taught me that, as a woman, I must be well-educated and able to care for myself. She was smart, beautiful, fierce, loving, a seeker, and had a fantastic stubborn streak.”

Alzheimer’s Disease took much of who she was away from her family and friends little by little over the years.

As one good friend, Marilyn Vickers said, “She was passionate about her family, her ideas, her God. To be robbed of speech was an injustice…”

Even though so much of what made her “Laura” and “mama” slipped away, her bright blue eyes, beautiful smile, and loving touch remained.

She will be so dearly missed.

The family will receive friends at Bernstein Funeral Home on the Atlanta Hwy. on Saturday, October 22 from 5-7 p.m. A memorial celebration of life service will follow Sunday, October 23 at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp or Saint Mary’s Hospice at https://www.stmarysathens.org/about-us/foundation/donate.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.