Laura Virginia Dayd

Laura Virginia (Thomas) Dayd, born in Little Rock, AR on July 3, 1939; the third of Willie Thomas, Sr. and Ida (Dillard) Thomas four children. Laura departed this life peacefully as she was called home by the Lord in the early morning hours of December 16, 2020 at her home. Laura was a 1957 graduate of Scipio A. Jones High School in North Little Rock, AR. She was a competitor and a talented athlete who enjoyed playing basketball and chess. She was a cheerleader and adored music; while in school she played the French horn and sang. She grew up loving hillbilly music but listened to and enjoyed all kinds of genres. She was always dancing to Motown, singing Aretha and Whitney. She was adventurous and loved to travel and experience new things. Attractive and charming, Laura stole the heart of Conrad Dayd, Sr. at their first meeting in 1955. Conrad, a handsome athlete and Airman from Harrisburg, PA, swept the lovely and funny Laura (whom he lovingly called L.V.) off her feet, and they were married on November 16, 1957. Their wedding took place in the living room of the presiding Minister, who was the father of one of Lauras good friends. They traveled the world and chose to retire in Nebraska after Conrad was stationed at Offutt Air Force base in 1976. Later in life she enjoyed team bowling with Conrad, working in the yard, being with her children and grandchildren, interior decorating, and made an art of wrapping presents. In her competitiveness she was accused by the grandkids of cheating during family board games (such as Yahtzee). She was a joyful person - witty, playful, and a great story teller, with a beautiful smile that lit up her face and could be felt by all who were around her. She was considerate, engaging, and generous; and didnt mind going out of her way for others but would put you in your place with that look. Our friends often told us, how lucky and blessed we were to have her as our Mother and we knew that to be true. Later in life she boldly pursued a career in nursing, and at the age of 41 graduated from Metropolitan Technical Community College on September 19, 1980 as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). After graduating, she worked as an LPN at St. Joseph Center for Mental Health where she took care of adolescent and geriatric patients. She co-started the Children and Adolescent Residential Unit at the Midlands Hospital in the 1980s and was responsible for the nursing care of the second shift. She was known for generously giving, not only her time, but her money to buy gifts and help to meet personal needs of the young patients. She later worked at the VA Hospital until her retirement in 2008. Laura was a proud advocate for all causes associated with POWs. Laura accepted Christ at an early age. At her passing, she was a current member of the Antioch Baptist Church and a former member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Laura is preceded in death by her parents, Ida and Willie Thomas Sr., her older sisters, Margaret Varner and Mary Young. She is survived by younger brother Willie Thomas Jr., of Little Rock, AR., caring and devoted husband of 63 years Conrad Dayd, Sr., and their five children: Ronita (Greg) Pinckney of San Antonio, TX; Conrad Dayd, Jr., of San Antonio, TX; Delisa (Pastor J.T., recently departed) Watkins of Columbus, OH; Carmelita (Michael) Solomon of Harrisburg, PA; and Leslie Dayd of LaVista, NE. Seven grandchildren: Cereeta (Tito) Byrd of Orlando, FL; Irshaun (Anna) Pinckney of Orlando, FL; Justin (Christina) Pinckney of Dallas, TX; Shelea, Hakeem, and Jewel Watkins of Columbus, OH; Mickayla Solomon of Harrisburg, PA. Six great-grandchildren: Lauren, Lyra, and Lincoln Byrd; Senayia Little; DeShea Watkins; and Kaiden Pinckney; a brother-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She impacted the lives of many and leaves behind her church family, a host of friends, colleagues, and neighbors. She was and is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.