OBITUARY
Laurie Yattaw Smith
November 15, 1950 – November 13, 2017
Laurie Yattaw Smith, age 66, of Hampton, Virginia passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2017. Laurie was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a resident of Hampton, Virginia for 43 years.
She attended Madison College and went on to become an educator for 25 years with Hampton City Schools. Laurie retired in 2013 to become a full time grandmother. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as golfing, biking, zip lining, and white water rafting. In recent years Laurie enjoyed family trips to places such as Smith Mountain Lake, Key West, and Myrtle Beach.
Laurie is survived by her husband, Chris Smith of 42 years; son, Cody Smith; daughters, Roberta Kiser (Bryce) and Erin Smith; and grandsons, William Kiser and Mason Kiser. She is also survived by her brother, Rick Yattaw (Sharon). Laurie is preceded by her father, Robert Yattaw; mother, Claire Yattaw; and brother, Ron Yattaw.
A Celebration of Laurie's Life will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017, at 10:00 am at Parklawn Memorial Park mausoleum chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JDRF (jdrf.org) to continue the advocacy for Type 1 Diabetes, a cause Laurie became passionate about after her grandson, William Kiser, recently became diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolences with the family.
Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
Services
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Celebration of Life Service
Friday, November 17, 2017
Memories
Laurie Yattaw Smith
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYSusan Booth
December 15, 2017
Dear Chris,
Just hearing the news.
She helped to make me the teacher I am today.
Thanks for all the two of you have done for all of us.
November 17, 2017
Laurie was always very professional and always came to my rescue whenever I needed her. She also offered warmth and smiles and a generosity of spirit. I so enjoyed her at Bethel and know of so many who treasured her including me. What a generous lady.
Helen Mitchell
November 17, 2017
Laurie was always very professional and always came to my rescue whenever I needed her. She also offered warmth and smiles and a generosity of spirit. I so enjoyed her at Bethel and know of so many who treasured her including me. What a generous lady.
Ruth Winslow
November 17, 2017
Chris what a nice service for Laurie. She would have approved. My love and sympathy to you and your family. I know it will be so hard for the grandchildren to understand why she is not here...but Chris, you will just have to be both Grandmother and Grand daddy from now on. Call on me if I can be of help in any way.
Ruth Winslow
Stephanie Harry
November 16, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Laurie. She was a wonderful educator and mentor. She was instrumental in helping me achieve my National Board Certification in Chemistry. She always had a smile and an encouraging word to share. My prayers are with you and your family.
Connie McFarland
November 16, 2017
Roberta, I am thinking of you so much and wanted you to know you and your entire family will be in my prayers.
November 16, 2017
My grief leaves an overwhelming hole, and so many questions....but I must remain steadfast knowing that our almighty Father has welcomed our dear Laurie and this is her beginning - not her end....I pray continued blessings for her family...
Pamela Hairston, Hampton, VA
Phil Smith
November 16, 2017
Sorry to hear this as she was always smiling and we had many great conversations over the years here at KHS. She will be surely missed by all. God Bless You and Your family
Rita Leonardi
November 16, 2017
Laurie was such a wonderful educator and co-worker. My heart is heavy at her passing. Please know how much she will be missed by many of us at Kecoughtan High School. I will hold her memory just a bit closer in the coming days.
R Leonardi
Tracey Blackshear
November 16, 2017
Although I never met Laurie in person, I know that she was a special lady. She was good friends with many here at Kecoughtan who have nothing but kind words to say about her. Laurie and her husband, Chris, showed true kindness and support to our mutual late friend, Dr. Lisa Auanger, by stepping in and taking care of Lisa's lawn during a time when Lisa's illness made this task impossible. Lisa was so grateful to both Laurie and Chris and always spoke very highly of them. My thoughts and prayers are with Chris, Laurie's children, grandchildren, and the numerous friends who loved her.
Dwight Marsh
November 15, 2017
Chris, I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. .
Ron and Barbara Weaver
November 15, 2017
We are very saddened by the news of Laurie's passing. We remember her as a good neighbor and friend. Our deepest sympathies to you, Chris, Cody, Roberta, and Erin.
Carolyn Sexton
November 15, 2017
I am so sorry to hear. Laurie was always smiling and laughing. She was a wonderful colleague.
Beth
November 15, 2017
So sorry to hear of Laurie's passing. She always had a HUGE smile on her face and will be deeply missed. She was so wonderful to work with in HCS. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
November 15, 2017
Sorry to hear of the passing of Laurie. I remember her lovely words of encouragement and her bright smile when I started in Hampton City Schools. May she rest peacefully in Gods arms.
Deborah Harris, KHS
Chris&Cheryl Xystros
November 15, 2017
Roberta. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
November 14, 2017
Dear Chris and family,
Greg and I were so sorry to hear of Laurie's passing. It was such fun to see and respond to her posts about the kids and grand kids. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Remember her with memories.
Greg and Sharon Duggan, Denver Colorado
Jennifer Phillips
November 14, 2017
My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Yattaw and Smith families for their tragic loss of their loved one. Laurie was one of my favorite salon clients always smiling and I enjoyed our conversations whenever she came to see me for her hair services. She was a generous and wonderful person who loved life and her family to the utmost and she will be missed terribly. I was lucky to have gotten to know her as a client and to call her 'friend'.
Shannon and Randy
November 14, 2017
Dear Chris and Family,
We were very saddened to hear of Laurie's passing. Please know that she will be missed very much and thought of often as she was a great neighbor and a wonderful person. She made us feel welcome in the neighborhood as soon as we moved in. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
David Tavernese
November 13, 2017
Chris, our thoughts and prayers are with you, the kids, and grandkids. You and Laurie have been wonderful neighbors since we moved next door 16 years ago. My wife and I will miss Laurie very much.