Laura Lightsey Matheson

Laura Frances Lightsey Matheson passed away on July 9, 2024, in Covington, Louisiana. 

She was born May 5, 1930, in Gorgas, Alabama to the late James Alvin Lightsey and the late Mae Lineberry Simpson. 

She is survived by her half-brother, David Lightsey of Fairhope, Alabama. She was the loving mother of Melanie Matheson Fontana (Dwight) and the late Laura Elizabeth (Beth) Matheson Simpson. Affectionately known as “Mommee” to her grandchildren, Elizabeth Leigh Price Miller, Joseph Matheson Fontana (Katelyn), Madeline Fontana Koran (Matthew) and great grandmother to Hayden Skye Miller and Paisley Grace Carroll. 

After graduating from Murphy High School in Mobile, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Montevallo. She majored in Art Education and English. She enjoyed working on set design and loved modern dance. She began her teaching career in Columbus, GA, moving on to Tuscaloosa, Atlanta, and Mobile, teaching everything from, Art, English, Science, Math, even Woodworking. She was a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an international women’s organization dedicated to excellence in education. As she was completing 22 years of teaching at her Alma Mater, Murphy High School, she received her Master of Science in Education from Troy State University. Wanting to try something new, she moved to Louisiana. She loved Plaquemines Parish and taught at several schools in the area. She shared her strong passion for learning with every student she met. Her influence and example certainly showed as her students’ test scores were consistently high. She was recognized by being awarded Teacher of the Year at Buras Middle School. She retired after 23 years in the Louisiana school system. 

Art was always an important part of her life and during her time teaching, she continued to paint. While in Mobile, her art was displayed at the Eastern Shore Art Center. She preferred abstract art, using oils and acrylics, but could also paint a beautiful portrait. In her later years she transitioned to watercolor. 

Having always had a passion for gardening, she became a member of the New Orleans Old Garden Rose Society and learned everything she could about growing antique roses. She settled in Covington, LA, was a member of the Covington Garden Club and had a garden to be envious of. Her garden was her art. Being an organic gardener, she continually researched how to fertilize her plants and loved to share her information. In addition to roses, any plant was of interest to her, the more unusual the better. She always said she would rather be working in the yard than cleaning her house. Continuing to be active in the community, she worked for the Louisiana Register of Voters. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. A special thanks to Traditions Hospice, TLC Companion Home Care, and especially Windsor Senior Living and Sage Lake Senior Living, her home, where a collection of frogs at her door reminded all that passed her room to “Fully Rely On God”. 

A funeral Mass will be held on July 18th at 12:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake Church 312 Lafitte St. Mandeville, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation.