Ventress, Laura Neal Hobson

Laura Neal Hobson Ventress, 89, died peacefully on Friday, February 12, 2010, in Blacksburg, Va., with her beloved and devoted niece, Betty Day, sister, Olive Draper, and great-niece, Michelle Hairston, by her side. She received her Last Rite’s by Father John Grace of St. Neumann’s Catholic Church, Virginia Tech Campus, and Blacksburg, Va. She was a strong, vibrant, loving and immensely generous woman throughout her life. Laura remained as active as she could up until her health declined. She moved to Kroontje Health Care Center three and a half years ago where she developed a network of close friends and received wonderful care from the many nurses and skilled-care personnel. Before moving to Kroontje, she had three loving home healthcare helpers, Rosie Ratliff, Charlene Simpkins and Traci Burke, whom she loved dearly. Laura was born on March 14, 1920, in Martinsville, Va., a daughter of Mildred James Carter Hobson and Jessie Raymond Hobson. She graduated from the Martinsville Henry County Training School (later became known as Albert Harris High School) in 1939 and married Wallace Edward Ventress in 1942. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Detroit, Mich., where they lived until retirement, she as an X-Ray and EKG Technician at Henry Ford Hospital and Wallace as an Engineer for Chrysler Corporation, in 1965. Upon much research for a desirable retirement location, they made their home in West Lake, La., on Lake Pontachtrain until Wallace’s death in 1995. Laura moved back to Martinsville in 1996 and lived there until moving to Blacksburg, Va., to be near her sister and family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband; and her guardians, Mrs. Rosa Lee Hobson Hairston and Alex Hairston. In addition to her niece and her niece’s husband, Laura is survived by two loving and caring sisters, Mrs. Olive Norene Hobson Draper, of Blacksburg, Va., and Mrs. Berniece Olympia Hobson Thornton, of Highland Park, Mich.; a loving sister-in-law, Mrs. Pauline Crump, of Mariquion, La.; a loving and devoted cousin, Mrs. Purnell Carter Williams, of Martinsville, Va., who was like a sister; and many loving and caring cousins, nieces and nephews. Laura loved playing the piano at a young age and was very gifted in cross-stitching, crocheting and quilting. She gained much pleasure in showing off her beautiful pillowcases, hand towels and her quilts when she was able to do so. She was a very devoted Catholic and was a member of St. John’s Bosco Catholic Church, West Lake, La. She attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church while she lived in Martinsville, Va., from 1996 until 2002 and since moving to Blacksburg, Va., she attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blacksburg, Va., whenever she was able. She looked forward to every Tuesday for she knew she would be receiving communion at the Kroonjte Health Care Center from St. Mary’s. The Rite of Committal or The Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hairston’s Funeral Home, 301 Fayette Street, Martinsville. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Friday, February 19, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 2481 Spruce Street, Martinsville, Va. Interment will be private at the Hobson’s Family Cemetery, Martinsville, Va. Hairston’s Funeral Home of Martinsville, Va., will be in charge. In lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial donation in Laura’s name to the building fund of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 2481 Spruce Street, Martinsville, Va. 24112 or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1205 Old Mill Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24060 or to St. John’s Bosco Catholic Church, 1301 Sampson Street, West Lake, La. 70669.