Laura Eaton Branning

Laura Eaton Branning, age 66, beloved mother, sister and teacher, passed away peacefully at her home in Durham, NC on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Laura was born on May 29, 1956, to the late Rudy Satterfield Eaton and Norman Cecil Eaton. She grew up in High Point, North Carolina, and graduated from UNC-G with a B.A in Education, a starting point for a lifelong commitment to the education of future generations. She began as a classroom teacher, educating students in Georgia and Nebraska. She then moved on to New Mexico where she was the principal at Colinas Del Norte Elementary School in Rio Rancho. Most recently she moved back to North Carolina where she worked with teachers to assist students with special needs in the Wake County School System.

Laura is survived by her much beloved daughter Whitney Elizabeth Branning of Los Angeles, CA, her sisters Jean Brandon (Bob) of Fairview, NC and Barbara Bumgarner (Tim) of Durham, NC, three nephews (Spencer Brandon, Douglas Brandon, Robert Bumgarner), one niece (Sarah Bumgarner Dover), two great nieces (Liddy and Becca) and a great nephew (Timmy). She was preceded in death by her son, William Reid Branning. Laura also leaves behind many wonderful friends and her very much-loved Corgi, Charlotte.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Soapstone United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the local SPCA or Soapstone United Methodist Church.

The Branning family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. The service will be live streamed on YouTube using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@SoapstoneUMC/streams or search for Soapstone UMC Raleigh NC and click on the live tab.