McGraw, Laura Ellen Richardson

PEARISBURG, Va. — Laura Ellen Richardson McGraw, age seventy, of Pearisburg, Va., died Sunday, March 28th, at Bland Nursing Home after a long and difficult bout with cancer. Born August 16th, 1939, in Welch, W.Va., Laura was the daughter of George and Beatrice Richardson. She graduated from Bluefield High School in 1959 and soon earned a B.A. in English with a minor in math at Concord College. Later, she received her M.A. in English Education from Radford University. Though she was briefly at Harper’s Ferry and Narrows High Schools, Laura spent most of her professional life at Giles High School in Pearisburg, Va. where she taught English, drama and math, directed plays and musicals, and was an academic team coach. Highly respected as a teacher, she was honored as Teacher of the Year in both Giles County and Region III, honors she considered the capstones of her career. Laura McGraw loved Giles High School and was a loyal Spartan until the day she died. She leaves behind many colleagues and former students who will remember her fondly. In addition to her parents, Laura was preceded in death by husband, Dr. Robert McGraw; and daughter, Katharine McGraw. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Megan and Dylan McGraw of Peterstown, W.Va.; sister, Beatrice Leist of Glenwood Retirement Home, Glenwood, W.Va., sister, Susan Leist and brother-in-law Charles Leist of Buffalo, N.Y.; stepson, Robert McGraw and his fiancé Cynthia Romano of Bluefield, W.Va., stepson, Alan McGraw and daughter-in-law Deborah McGraw of Tazewell, Va., stepson, Kevin McGraw of Beckley, W.Va., stepson, Lt. Col. Sidney McGraw and daughter-in-law Jessica McGraw of Chicago, Ill.; son-in-law, Russel Dotson of Peterstown, W.Va.; and extended family members, Deanna and William Smith, also of Peterstown, W.Va. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 16th, at Pearisburg Presbyterian Church on 114 Easley Street in Pearisburg. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m. with the memorial service to immediately follow. Respected former student and colleague the Reverend David Chapman and the Reverend Shirley Larson will officiate. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society.