Laura Lawless

Laura Margaret Lawless, 62, passed away peacefully at home on December 6, 2023, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma after a 20 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on August 7th, 1961, in Paris, Tennessee, to Phillip and Marie (Whitworth) Simpson. She moved from Paris, Tennessee to Poteau, Oklahoma in 1971. She graduated Co-Valedictorian from Poteau High School in 1979. Laura enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 1980 where she met Jeff. On August 8th, 1981, she married Jeff Lawless at Trinity Baptist Church in Poteau, Oklahoma. They recently celebrated their 42nd anniversary. After finding out they could not have children, they adopted two infants and were overjoyed. Her children are Jenny and her husband Josh Gaylord of Collinsville, Oklahoma, and Adam Lawless of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren Jackson, Jentry, and James were her pride and joy; she loved being their Grammy. Jeff and Laura loved to travel, with Hawaii and Disneyworld being their happy places. In the midst of cancer, they were able to take their children, son-in-law and the three grandkids to Disneyworld for a week this past December. It was a trip of a lifetime. Laura became a teacher in 1985 after receiving her BS in Math Education from NSU, and taught at Broken Arrow Haskell Middle School until 1988. She received her Masters in Education in 1989, one year after starting a long career as a math teacher at Bartlesville Mid High. In 2007, she moved to Owasso and taught there until 2014. She briefly moved to Dove Science Academy until 2017, until she ended her career teaching for Broken Arrow Public Schools, for which she was named Teacher of the Year at the Early College High School for the 2021-2022 school year. She retired in the Spring of 2023 after a distinguished teaching career spanning 38 years. Her passion was teaching students they could do anything they put their mind to, and she genuinely cared for each and every one of them. She was preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Marie Simpson, and her brother in law Jerry Renfroe. She was the youngest sister of 4 siblings, a mother of 2, a Grammy of 3, an Aunt of 12, and a Great-Aunt of 18. Her siblings are Phyllis Renfroe of Lexington, Tennessee, Becky and Charles Frost of Bolivar, Tennessee, and Mark and Paula Simpson of Yukon, Oklahoma. Her siblings in law are Alan and Lennette Lawless of Claremore, Oklahoma, Mimi and Rex Blanchard of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Sean and Michelle Lawless of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Mimi and Rex Blanchard held a special place in her heart for their constant support and love through her life. Her nephews and nieces are Micah and Terri Renfroe, Josh Renfroe, Phillip and Brandi Frost, Suzanne and Jamie Mosley, Carl and Kelly Frost, Robert and Lauren Simpson, Tonya and Johnny Morton, Stephen and Megan Simpson, Sarah Blanchard, Austin Lawless, Matthew and Rubie Blanchard, and Garin Lawless. Her great nephews and nieces are Carliee and Mason Spellings, Gracie and Tyler Flanagan, Audrey Renfroe; Samuel, Nolan, and Sarah Frost; John, William, and Joseph Mosley; Olivia and Max Frost; Bentley and Baylor Simpson; Isaiah, Lincoln, and Sloan Morton; and Ellie and Easton Simpson. She is also survived by Margaret and Grady Gaylord, and Cindy and Lex Gaylord, who she thanks for the continuous love and support they have given to her grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to “It’s About Kids” a foundation of Palen Music Center to provide band instruments for students that cannot afford them. Checks can be mailed to Palen Music Center, 929 N Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.

Tributes

Laura Lawless

August 7, 1961 - December 6, 2023