Laura Elizabeth Payne Jacobs

Mrs. Laura E. Jacobs passed away from respiratory failure on May 6, 2016 in Lewisville, TX. at the age of 85.

Laura was born in Lamesa, TX on September 13, 1930 to Alice and George Payne, Jr. Two years later, she moved to Denison where she attended Central Ward Elementary and graduated as the Valedictorian from Denison High School in 1947. Following graduation, she attended the University of North Texas (Denton, TX) and Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant, OK).

In 1948, Laura joined The Citizens National Bank of Denison, her sole employer, spending 40 plus years serving the bank in multiple capacities. She was made one of the first women bank officers in 1973. She retired from the bank as a Sr. Vice President in 1992.

In 1951, Laura married Dr. Bill Jacobs, former superintendent of Denison ISD who preceded her in death in 2004. Together they raised two sons – Jamie and Ben. Laura and Bill enjoyed 12 wonderful years of retirement.

Laura loved Denison and demonstrated this love through her involvement in numerous organizations that included: Chamber of Commerce (Gold Coats, Parade Committee & Annual Reception Committee chairs, Beautification Committee); Denison Downtown Association; Denison Performing Arts (board member); Denison Service League (vice president); Fairview Cemetery (board member); Grayson County United Way (Budget & Admission Committees, Small Business Division, Commercial Division); Monodrama Club and The Girls Club (President and board member). Laura was an active and dedicated member of Waples Memorial United Methodist Church for much of her adult life.

Laura leaves behind her two sons, Jamie and his wife, Nancy of Garland, TX; Ben and wife, Cindy of Flower Mound, TX; two grandchildren, René Archambault and her husband Randy, Taylor Jacobs and a precious great granddaughter Zoë Grace Archambault.

The service will be held at Waples Memorial Methodist Church, by Dr. Jim Bowden at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Family visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Laura's friends remember her and her commitment to Denison by selecting your charity of choice.