Rosemary Kirby Laur
August 5, 2019
On the 5th of August 2019, Mrs. Rosemary Kirby Wilcox Laur 93, beloved wife, sister, mother and the last of our family’s Greatest Generation, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family. Mrs. Laur was born March 12, 1926, in Darlington, South Carolina to the late Harry Douglas Kirby and Lilly Orien Edwards Kirby. The youngest child, Rosemary, had four siblings who predeceased her - Jane, Harry, Zekie, and Caroline. After high school, she attended Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
In 1947 Rosemary wed Norman Wilcox of Clearwater, FL. The newlyweds left for Gainesville, FL where Norman attended the University of Florida under the GI Bill. After graduation, they started their life together while raising six children in Anona, FL, and later Keystone Heights, FL; however, in 1972, her loving husband Norman passed away unexpectedly. In 1979, Rosemary married William “Bill” Laur who was serving in the U.S. Navy. These newlyweds moved to Virginia Beach, VA until Bill retired from active duty and they returned to Keystone Heights.
During their long and happy marriage, Rosemary and “Pa Pa Bill” shared a beautiful and vibrant life full of grandchildren, travel, and giving to their local community. As a testament to their devotion, on June 8, 2019, they celebrated their 40th anniversary during a vow renewal ceremony attended by family and friends. Rosemary was an active member of the Keystone Heights United Methodist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Kiwanis, the Red Hat Society and was a skilled devotee of Bridge at the Woman’s Club.
Skilled in the crafts, gardening, and cooking her home was a warm, fun, and welcoming space where all found joy or needed solace. Even after a debilitating stroke, her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through during the trials and tribulations she faced in her final years.
Rosemary is survived by her devoted husband Bill Laur and children Norman Wilcox, Jeanine Thompson, Mitch Wilcox, Daniel Wilcox, David Wilcox, and Jodie Richards. Rosemary has 13 grandchildren - Bethany, Amanda, Ryan, Lindsey, Whitney, Hannah, Victoria, Danny, Kyle, Summer, Mary, Brandon and Ava, and four great-grandchildren – Theodore, Jake, Kherington, and Luke.
Throughout her long life to the very end, she personified beauty, grace, and an abiding love that won the trust and hearts of many who even now are being changed by her witness of nurturing faith and steadfast strength. A genuine Steel Magnolia, Rosemary looked askance at bad manners, improper English, or meanness of any stripe. She unabashedly loved her husbands, her children, enthusiastically adored all their offspring and was admired and respected in return by all who met her. She will be greatly missed by those she loved and those who love her. The family asks that donations be made to the Lake Region Kiwanis Club CNA Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 715, Keystone Heights, FL) in Rosemary’s name.
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May God put her in a special place where she will be watching you and her family, the people who loved and cherished her!
It is comforting to know that she is now healthy, happy and without pain. I am praying for all of you who will miss her but have great memories. She and Bill were an inspiration to the institution of marriage.
Our condolences to the family and so sorry to hear Of the passing.
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
We never had the privilege to meet Mrs. Laur but if her son, Mitch, is an indication of the lady she was, I'm sure we would have enjoyed her company. Our condolences go out to the family.
Sharing your sadness. Although we can't be with you in person, our spirit, hearts, thoughts, and prayers will be there. Aunt Rosemary was an amazing person and we will miss her.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
I pray that God's blessings be with you and that you find comfort in the many happy memories you have of your Mother.
I was so sorry to hear about Aunt Rosemary's passing. She was always so loving and kind to me growing up, whenever I saw her and Uncle Bill, and she was that way to my children as well. I will miss her, so I know you closer family will so much. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry too that we could not make it to the funeral. We wanted to and were thinking of and praying for peace for all of those of you that were there celebrating her wonderful life.
Mrs. 🌹 Mary. That's how I would text her to tell her I was on my way to see her. I had the privilege to meet a wonderful lady. We knew each other a very short time. But I felt like we knew each other forever. I took care of this sweet lady after her spell. And she was one of my very favorite ladies I ever had to take care of. I'll carry on your salad making. Thank you to her entire family. Rest easy and walk with Jesus on his birthday.