Laura Ann Hamlin Stanley

Laura Ann Hamlin Stanley, 43, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 28, 2021, surrounded by her family. Her joyful spirit and positive attitude were a testament to her faith. Although she suffered from chronic pain for most of her life, Laura faced each challenge with a sense of optimism, acceptance and humor. When others would have cried, Laura was known instead to fill rooms with her laughter. She spread joy wherever she went and never met a stranger. Laura made fast friends with the staffs in countless hospitals, doctor’s offices and waiting rooms.

Laura was born on March 6, 1978, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Melvin Howard Hamlin II and Terry Ralstin Hamlin. At age 4, she and her parents moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from Needham Broughton High School in 1996 and East Carolina University in 2001. While her health allowed, Laura taught middle school science until 2007. She earned a Master of Arts in education from the University of Phoenix. On August 1, 2008, she married Jarrod Nicholas “Nick” Stanley, who cherished and cared for her.

Laura delighted in giving gifts to her friends and family, and her gift wrapping was a work of art. She loved a wide variety of music and always sung along. Laura leapt at chances to help others, and she could tell you a well-researched tip or trick for any situation. She loved horses and taught riding at Camp Oak Hill in Oxford, N.C.

Laura was preceded in death by her infant twin brother, Andrew Laird Hamlin. According to her wishes, she will be laid to rest next to him in Highland Cemetery, Winfield, Kansas, at a later date.

She is survived by her husband, Nick; her parents, Melvin and Terry Hamlin; her brother, John Andrew Hamlin and wife Catherine, all of Raleigh, N.C.; her beloved cousin, Laura Lynn Pardue Snyder of Hoyt, Kansas; and several uncles, aunts, cousins and many friends.

We wish to thank her many doctors, who provided her extraordinary and compassionate care: Drs. Philip Chu (rheumatology), Kishan Parikh (cardiology), Stacy Telloni (oncology), Divakar Gupta and Dilraj Grewal (ophthalmology) and their staffs. Also, the caring staff of Transitions Life Care Hospice Home.

Family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 3, at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, N.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, American Chronic Pain Association or Transitions Life Care Hospice.

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