So sorry to hear this. We played softball together out of Willis point TX. Prayers for the family and friends.

Laurel loved history & literature. The poem below is by Alfred Lord Tennyson, who her grandnephew Ryker Tennyson Lea is named after. 

In Memoriam 16: I envy not in any moods

I envy not in any moods
The captive void of noble rage,
The linnet born within the cage,
That never knew the summer woods:

I envy not the beast that takes
His license in the field of time,
Unfetter'd by the sense of crime,
To whom a conscience never wakes;

Nor, what may count itself as blest,
The heart that never plighted troth
But stagnates in the weeds of sloth;
Nor any want-begotten rest.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'TIS BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOSE
THAN NEVER TO HAVE LOVED AT ALL.

Note from Sandra: This poem emphasizes the pain of loss & the value of love. God never promised joy without sorrow nor peace without pain. The grief we endure in mourning is the price of the great love we have experienced—a price we would willingly pay, time and time again.

Love,
Sandra Malloy Lea
(Laurel's Niece)

Part 4 of 4

Laurel and Brian were truly blessed to have each other and to have created such an amazing family. Laurel's pride and love for all of us was immeasurable, and that love will never be lost. As we all navigate this loss and pain in our own ways, I hope everyone will hold onto the best times they had with Laurel, treasure those memories, never forget Laurel’s passion for life, and above all, continue having fun and doing good in the world. That’s exactly what Laurel would want for us. And—if you truly want to honor her further—go rescue or adopt five pets from a shelter as soon as you can.  😊

Laurel, you will be missed but never forgotten. I will love you forever.

Your favorite niece,
Sandra Malloy Lea

Part 3 of 4
Laurel was surprised when Trey joined the military—I think we all were—yet no one could be prouder of him than she was. It would be a challenge for any sibling to follow in Trey's footsteps, but somehow Camille and Devin became every bit as impressive. From fun-loving, caring kids, they’ve grown into beautiful young women with successful careers, and as hard as it is for me to admit, they may be even smarter than Trey and me. Laurel always said she could have raised Trey and Camille in a coma—they were such great kids—easygoing, responsible, patient, and self-sufficient.
Devin, she would admit, might have needed a bit more parenting, but only because she shares her mom’s passion and zest for fun. It was impossible not to laugh and have a good time around Devin when she was a child. She was always happy, smiling and laughing, even as a toddler.  Devin has so much of her mom’s fun, loving life personality in her.
Camille and Devin now both have flourishing careers and lives, something Laurel was endlessly proud of. She always told me how blessed she was to have such amazing kids—and I couldn't agree more.
Laurel’s love and pride reached even further, embracing each of her grandchildren. She spoke often of Avery’s kindness and love of animals—a special bond that Laurel and I also shared. She would talk about how beautiful and smart Tanner is, how Zack reminds her of Trey as a boy, and how Zeke is both handsome and kind.

Part 2 of 4
Laurel passed her love of fun to the next generation. Her grandnephews, Ryker and Kayson, knew her as their "Lala," the aunt who would get down on the floor and wrestle with them with the energy of someone half her age. She created the same magical, fun-filled environment for them that she did for her own children and myself when I was younger. The tears they shed when leaving her house show just how strong that connection was.
Beyond her fun-loving nature, Laurel had a profound compassion for others. She showed this especially in the way she helped care for her difficult grandmother, Verna. Despite a complicated family history, Laurel went above and beyond—even when Verna was less than easy to love. I loved my great-grandmother, and she was kind to me, but anyone who knew her, Laurel included, would say she was the toughest and meanest lady around. I believe Laurel’s innate desire to help people led her to a fulfilling career as a Registered Nurse, where she brought that same unwavering care to her patients.
Laurel was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren—far more than I think they ever realized. She told me all the time how remarkable her kids were. I remember her reading things Trey wrote as a child, amazed by his insight, and I know she saved some of those writings to this day. The older Trey got, the more impressive he became. Trey is what I call the King of the Nerds and remains undefeated in history and political debates. Anyone who knows our family knows how passionate we all are about our beliefs, and we owe that to Laurel, who taught us to never stop learning and to stand up for what we believe in.

PART 1 of 4
It is with a heavy heart that I write this, hoping my words can capture my relationship with Laurel and honor her as she deserves. Laurel, a beloved aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-aunt, had a vibrant spirit and an infectious laugh that left a lasting mark on everyone she knew. To know Laurel was to know fun, and her greatest joy was creating cherished memories with her family.
From my earliest memories of Laurel, she always had a special gift for making life feel like an adventure. I fondly recall so many times waiting with a packed bag on my grandmother’s porch in Gladewater for Laurel to pick me up. She was often fashionably late, and I spent plenty of time waiting, but I was always too excited to care and was ready to jump in and hit the road as soon as she pulled in. Those trips from Gladewater to Wills Point were the foundation of a cherished bond. We’d talk about everything—school, history, family—when it was just the two of us. At her and my Uncle Brian's home in Wills Point, days were filled with outdoor play, rescuing kittens, and staying up late. Time with them, my cousin Trey, and often our cousin Jeff, were always full of laughter and joy—memories I will treasure for a lifetime.
As Laurel and Brian’s family grew, so did the circle of fun. Visits to their home in Richardson became a new chapter of happiness with the arrival of her daughters, Camille and Devin. Laurel marveled at their unique talents—like Camille’s encyclopedic knowledge of dinosaurs and Pokémon, and Devin’s adorable antics that always kept everyone laughing. Our tradition of late-night board games continued, the most memorable being heated rounds of Trivial Pursuit, ending in hilarious defeats and such loud laughter that Uncle Brian would come out to quiet us so he could get some sleep for work the next day. It was these simple moments of just being together that showed Laurel’s true spirit.

My favorite thing about Lala is I love her and the cool toys she always gave me. I love her kitties and am glad I have one at my house now. I love Lala a lot and a lot and a lot and a lot. She was fun to play with.

Lovem
Kayson Lea
(grandnephew)

My favorite memory of my Lala is playing board games and Legos. I loved when I played outside, and she would watch me. I miss her and will love her forever. 

Love,
Ryker Lea
(grandnephew)

Laurel loved her family, especially when they were babies.

KofC Texas State Convention 2024.

Thanks for all you did at home while I was out being a Knight!

Aunt Laurel,  you were so loved!  I loved every visit with you (no matter how long or short those visits were.  You were amazingly funny and I just loved spending any time that was spent with you!!! 
RIP sweet Laurel.  Just know your legacy will always live on in all of our hearts!   ❤️ ❤️❤️
Always in my heart.
Shannon Elaine Tooley

Dear Brian, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear wife. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

OBITUARY

Laurel Kay Tooley

April 4, 1957 – September 15, 2025

Sparkman Funeral Home & Cremation Services

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