From Laura's brother, Wade Whatley:

It is with great sorrow that Cheryl and I announce the passing of our sister, Laura Diane Whatley. As everyone who knows and follows her is aware, she had a long and tenuous battle with cancer. On Thursday morning, March 13, 2025, she lost that battle. She fought to the very last with every fiber of her being, but in the end, it was not enough. We had all hoped for a bit longer to spend with her, but her sudden deterioration took that opportunity away. While this was expected at some time in the future, we did not anticipate it being so rapid and sudden.

Laura was born in Deland, Florida, on July 2, 1964. She was the first of the three of us but was an only child for just shy of two years. As Cheryl and I joined her, we traveled the world together with our parents, from Florida to places like Hawai'i, Virginia, California, and Japan. Like all of us, the impact Japan had on her was profound, as was our time in Hawai'i. These two places became an indelible part of her identity (just look at her Facebook cover photo!); from decorations and keepsakes to her pets' names, you would find hints of her memories everywhere. More than any of us, she maintained close contact with friends from Zama High School in Japan and Aiea High School in Hawai'i. I am happy that she had all of you to stay in touch with.

Not having children of her own, Laura later took on the role of a foster parent, leaving an impression on many children and their families. She kept in touch with many of you after you moved on, and I hope that the memory of her lives on in you. This was a period of her life that she spoke of with pride, and she had every right to.

Not only was she passionate about the children she took in, Laura was also an avid animal lover. Her love of big cats is everywhere you turn. Her love of little cats, as well as her dogs, was known to everyone. Along with Cheryl, these were her comfort in her last days, and I am glad she was with them until the end.

Aside from what we know of her, who was Laura to me? Well, she was my sister. We did not have the closest bond, but not a day passes that I don’t remember the good times we shared as children, wide-eyed and in awe of the world our parents shared with us. This is the Laura I remember. The Laura who wouldn't eat the octopus, not because it was octopus, but because, "It has suction cups, Dad!" The Laura who stood in the middle of the street in the rain in Virginia Beach, as the road became a river, exclaimed, "We can swim out here!" The Laura who, at age 18, had a flower in her hair and went to dinner and drinks with Mom and Dad because "I'm an adult now." And, because I liked to stir the pot, the Laura, at age 16, that stood in the living room and said, "Shut up, Wade! Daddy, he's lying! I am not dating a Marine!!!" (in my defense, I was 11, they were holding hands...that's dating).

While I can’t speak for Cheryl, I know that my relationship with her was not always the best; I could be a pain in the ass, and she could be stubborn. No matter, I knew that when it came down to it, she would always support me. I may not have been there as much as she needed me to be towards the end, but my thoughts were always with her. Like many others, we shared messages and phone calls, kept up to date on her progress and condition, and would let her know that I loved her. However, what I am most thankful for is Cheryl. Cheryl was a constant presence by her side through all of this, and even though she may have felt it wasn’t enough, in the end, she was Laura’s pillar.

Laura leaves behind so many different memories with so many different people. I know each of you who reads this will have something that sticks in your mind when you remember her. I do hope you will share this with us. When you think about her, remember that she was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a mother to many, and a friend. She is survived by myself, and Cheryl, her many nieces and nephews (Christina, Jessica, Christopher, Brandon, Taylor, Evan, and Mika), as well as her many pets, and even more friends that she thought of as family. Above all else, she believed there was something more waiting for us when we pass. If so, I am certain that she is with Mom and Dad right now sharing hugs and having a laugh.

We do not as of yet have a memorial service planned, but we will post on her Facebook page as soon we know. As much as Laura loved flowers, I am sure she would love to have something more meaningful left in her name, so if you would like to leave something in her memory, please go to Favor House and make a donation in her name: https://www.favorhouse.org/donate 

Sister, I see you
Dancing on the stage of memory
Sister, I miss you

— with Cheryl Whatley.