On October 10, 2018, our world darkened and the skies brightened just a little when Laurie Louise McReynolds left us to join her Mom and Dad. Born on November 12, 1951 in Washington DC, she was the middle child of William and June Long. Growing up in the Oxen Hill section of DC with her older brother Mike and sister Lynn, Laurie was an avid fan of the Beatles and went to as many dances as she could, still doing the Mashed Potato, the Twist and Boney Maroney well into her 60s.
After graduating from Oxen Hill High School in Washington DC, she met her then-husband Russ McReynolds, and they began their life in Norman in 1970. Initially she worked for the Secret Service in the Murrah Building where she once counted over $5 million in counterfeit money. In 1978, Laurie decided to stay home to raise the kids, and did everything she could to take care of her three children, Jenni, Nate and Beki. She and Russ moved to Ponca City in 1989. There, Laurie made a few hundred more friends, including while on the Poncan Theater Board. In 1997, they returned to Norman. Laurie began working at the Carl Albert Center at OU on March 1, 1999, and it was never the same. During her almost-20 years there, she helped countless students, faculty and staff find their way. Laurie was also ae board member of the Sooner Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed both the concerts and the local productions.
What else to say about how Laurie spent her 67 years of living? I guess by starting with how Laurie was the epitome of “she never met a stranger.” If you were ever in line at Walmart and some sweet lady started a conversation about your groceries, that was probably her. Laurie’s hobbies included baking, talking to as many people as she could, taking care of her wonderful son and the other two, and shopping. I've been told she was a Mom to many, many people.
Laurie is predeceased by her mother June Long, father William Long, and Eaglettes Cindy Roberts and Gwen Pence. Laurie leaves behind her three children and their spouses Jenni & Aaron Sherwood, Nate & Jenn McReynolds, and Beki & Jamie Miller; four grandchildren, Maddy & Julie Cottrell and Sawyer & Makayla McReynolds; siblings Mike Long and Lynn Cox; her lifelong friend Darlene Russell; the Eaglettes Diane Tucker and Dianne Henderson and 31 Junior Eaglettes. Laurie also leaves behind hundreds but possibly thousands of friends, some of whom we are still meeting every day as they tell us how much our mom meant to them.
Laurie's memorial service is at First Baptist Church in Norman on November 12th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Sooner Theatre of Norman, The Poncan Theatre in Ponca City or the Caring Bridge website.
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