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Laura O'Connell
On Thursday, February 22nd, Laura Margaret O'Connell, dearly beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, ended her earthly journey surrounded by her loving daughters.
Laura was born in Lawton, Okla., on April 13th, 1948, to Doris Jeanne and Bill O'Connell. The family later moved to Norman where Laura graduated from Norman High School in 1966. She attended the University of Oklahoma, enjoying many campus activities as a member of Chi Omega sorority.
Laura married Wayne Veal in 1969 and from that union was blessed with two daughters Kelly Anne and Abigail Leigh. After college Laura lived in Germany, California, North Carolina, and Georgia before settling back in Norman. Her daughters live in the Norman area and have richly blessed Laura's life in countless ways but especially by giving her five grandchildren she adored: Madeline, Peyton, Reed, Mallory, and Bowen. As a mother and "Nanny" she always told her family, "I love you to the moon and back, to infinity, and beyond."
Laura graduated with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Central Oklahoma. She taught second grade at Madison Elementary in Norman for 22 years. Laura always had a heart for children and was thoroughly delighted through the years to find that former students recognized her around town and gave her big spontaneous hugs and many warm words of affection and appreciation.
Laura is survived by her daughter Kelly Johnston and husband Joe; daughter Abbie Harris and husband Kyle; granddaughter Madeline Long; granddaughter Peyton Prock; grandson Reed Prock, granddaughter Mallory Long; granddaughter Bowen Harris; sister Mary Anne Lewis and husband Jay; sister Jeanie O'Connell; niece Carrie Lewis; nephew Rian Lewis; cousin Mark Smith; and treasured, dear friends and colleagues who have long enriched her beautiful life.
Laura is preceded in death by her parents Doris Jeanne and Bill O'Connell; cousin Don Smith; and aunt Marilyn Hogue.
Online condolences may be shared at www.tribute.care and on this website.
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Ron Zerby
Another special gal gone home. Laura was always very special in my life as our families were linked in construction back to the early 1950's. Her faith always stood out in our friendship. Life deals all many trials and battles we deal with.What matters in the end is our faith in out Lord Jesus Christ, Father and Holy Spirit. Life is not ending, its only beginning. Prayers for those who knew and loved her as we journey onward and upward.
Barbara Orth (Boggs)
Not having Laura to continue making precious memories with is devastating to me. The blessing is knowing she's with her wonderful parents, Doris Jean and Bill. My love and prayers are with her girls and her grandchildren as we all navigate life without her beautiful smile.
Greg Owings
1964 brought quite a few new faces to NHS, which included mine, and through those faces new relationships developed, which included mine and Laura's. Neither of us was looking for a relationship, and that's probably why ours began. We were very young, just 16, so our time together was always an adventure. We called it quits on the night of her crowning as All-Sports Queen. During the ceremony Southers and I sneaked out to his car and drank a beer each that he had confiscated from his dad's stash. Back a the banquet she asked where I'd been and I fessed up. That was it. Laura or beer and boys. I wasn't a drinker so I subbed cars for beer, and cars & boys won out. Laura was a wonderful person to know, and I cherish the time we had together, and through that relationship with Laura I met someone very special.