Laura Bates Lavespere
July 20, 1924July 13, 2025
Laura Bates Lavespere left this world peacefully at her home in Natchitoches on Sunday, July 13, 2025, and went to be with the Lord just one week shy of her 101st birthday.
She was born in Red River Parish, July 20, 1924 to Robert F. Bates and Ollie Waters Bates. She completed elementary school in Coushatta and graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1941. She then attended Normal College, which is now Northwestern State University.
During World War II, she worked for Consolidated Steel Shipyard as a secretary. After the war she returned to Natchitoches and was employed as a secretary to Natchitoches Parish School Superintendent, E.A. Lee. In 1955 she was employed by Normal College as an account clerk and later retired from Northwestern State University in 1980 as controller. She was employed by Natchitoches Parish Assessor’s Office as an accountant from 1984 through 2011.
Laura was a member of First Baptist Church since 1937, and taught Sunday school class for children for many years. She was also a member of Women’s Mission Society and worked at the Love and Care Mission. She was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter since 1994.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert F. and Ollie Waters Bates; her husband of 50 years, Eugene H. Lavespere Sr.; brothers Walter F. Bates, Curtis D. Bates, Charles Bates and Ray Bates; sisters Della Bates Pardue, Bobbie Dykes Odom; as well as special nieces, Jean Lowery and Jane Dyer.
She is survived by her son, Eugene (Sonny) Lavespere Jr., daughter-in-law Rebecca Lavespere and granddaughter Aimee Lavespere; nieces Charlotte Mobley, Kathy Spurlock (Steve); nephews Robert (Bob) Hebert and Larry Dykes; and great nieces and nephews Ashley Mobley Irish and Jason Hebert (Amanda), and great great nieces and nephews, Gracie, Anne Marie and Chandler Hebert.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 17 from 10 a.m. – noon at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Brother Tommy Rush will officiate a service and celebration of life at noon following visitation. Interment will be at Memory Lawn Cemetery and will follow the service.
Pallbearers will be Jason Hebert, Hugh Gentry, Chandler Hebert, Barry Antee, Edwin Dunahoe, Kris Presson and Honorary Pallbearer, Warren Massia.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mary Antee, a dear friend and caretaker of Laura for over 35 years. Many other caregivers were with her during her final weeks. These ladies are Mary Moran, Debra Matthews, Debra Jones, Mary Johnson, Thelma Rachal, Ashley Blake and Rose Gistarb lwho ovingly cared for her. We would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Natchitoches especially Dominick Metoyer, Joie Isgitt and Marianna Martinez.