Laura Lea Schneider
LAURA LEA SCHNEIDER, age 51, daughter of George and Barbara Schneider, Sr., of Ruston, died in West Monroe on Saturday March 5, 2022.
She was born in Ruston on May 11, 1970 and currently lived in Ruston. She is survived by her siblings George (Kay) of Houston, Texas, Bill (Kathy) of Dallas, Texas, Tom (Lori) of Maumelle, Arkansas, and Levi (Debbie) of Pottsboro, Texas.
She is most remembered for her brilliant smile, her sweet acceptance of living life as a spina bifida survivor and finding her way as the fifth child of five.
She is also survived by seven nieces and several great nieces and nephews.
In 2019, Laura was diagnosed with bladder cancer. This too, she accepted with quiet resolve. In the previous years she was in the mix of craziness that is a house full of five children.
Always with her mom and dad at the events surrounding their household, she kept up with sporting events at Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University.
But, at Christmas time, she was front and center and found herself buried under a tissue paper mountain of gifts. Kansas City, Kansas cousins remember her visiting as a baby with her beautiful hair, dresses and bows.
She endeared herself to those who taught her at Hillcrest Elementary, Glenview Junior High and Ruston High School. Laura was born in Louisiana Tech Bulldog country and followed all her siblings by obtaining both undergraduate and masters’ degrees from Louisiana Tech University in Psychology and Counseling Services.
This led to her employment in Bossier City, at the State of Louisiana, Department of Social Services for almost 20 years. She lived independently in Shreveport, during this time.
The entire family looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas visits with her when everyone from Texas and Arkansas could gather.
The chocolate pies she brought from Bossier City were a favorite at our table. During these years she fully embraced being a redhead, became a fierce fan of performing artist Adam Ant and introduced us to some of her favorite international coffees.
Laura, along with Dad Schneider, was the dog person of the family. Puppy dog “Sugar” came to the family shortly after she was born. Dad and Laura conspired through the years to make sure there was always a “Snickers” in the family and her dear “Lucy” was her very own dog when she lived in Shreveport.
Since March of 2020, Laura lived in Ruston with Mom and Dad Schneider until they passed away mid-year 2020. COVID-19 brought on the challenges of living out-of-state from her siblings. With the loving arms of Ruston around her, Laura received encouragement from St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Beta Sigma Phi service sorority, and most importantly, her sitters.
Eloise “E” Carter and Monica Emerson especially endeared themselves as they cared for Dad, Mom and Laura at the end of their lives. Dad Schneider referred to the house on Tara as the “Schneider Ward.”
Laura also received extra kindnesses from the staff of Glenwood Medical Hospital ICU. All are welcome to a Funeral Mass to be held at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 813 Carey Ave, Ruston, on Friday, March 11 at noon, presided by Father Ed Shea, OFM.
A reception will follow in the Luffey Life Center. Interment (family only) will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston.
Gifts and remembrances may be sent to a charity of choice or www.stthomasaquinasruston.com, and Shriners Children’s Shreveport Children’s Hospital (shrinerschildrens.org).
