Laura Lisk Bruton, aged 87, died Wednesday, May 11 after a long illness. During her long life, Laura loved fiercely the people around her. The mother of four, one of Laura’s favorite things was the sound of her children’s laughter. Laura laughed a lot herself and was known as a funny and kind person. Laura was a competitive basketball player in high school. Also an excellent dancer, Laura met her husband, John Bruton, on the dancefloor. She took yearly trips to the beach with her close cousins where laughter and fun ruled the days. With other cousins, she took multiple trips across the country including a cruise down the Mississippi.
Because of her passion for children’s well-being, Laura founded and ran a successful daycare which survives today. Upon selling her business, she was a highly sought-after nanny for many years. Laura touched the lives of many children besides her own.
After retirement, Laura enjoyed her many close friends, beloved cousins and her community in Mt Gilead, NC. In 2020, Laura moved in with her eldest child in Bedford, VA. There she developed new friends, just as she did wherever she went.
Laura was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Gilead, NC. No matter where life took her, Laura remained in touch with the church and its members. She attended Freedom Baptist Church in Forest, VA her last two years while living with her son and his family.
Laura was preceded in death by her mother Clara Deaton, her father Oma Vernon Lisk, her brother Tony Lisk and her husband John C. Bruton. She is survived by her four children: John Robert Thompson, Jr. (Shawn), Amanda Fay Thompson Bruton (Tommy), Rodney Lisk Thompson (Maria) and Tracy Thompson Risinger (John) and nine grandchildren: Thomas Bruton, Kendall Bruton Strom (Jaron), Micah Thompson (Sun), Marni Thompson, Mary Thompson, Emma Risinger, Esther Thompson, Bethany Thompson, and Jacob Thompson.
Visitation begins on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 11am followed by the funeral at noon at First Baptist Church in Mt. Gilead, NC (133 S. Main Street, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306). The graveside service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church (590 Hydro Road, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306)