Laura N. Shoemaker Jessup

Laura Nelle Shoemaker Jessup, age 92, went to be in her eternal home with God on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Laura was welcomed to the world on August 24, 1933, in Lewisburg, Kentucky to Albert and Eula Ryan Shoemaker. She grew up close to her 8 surviving siblings at that time with a lot of chores and, of course, some fun. Laura was very proud of graduating from Lewisburg High School in 1951. During that time, she caught the eye of Robert Jessup. They were married on April 26, 1953. The young couple moved to Ohio to be close to his Uncle Leroy and Aunt Eva and started a new life away from the farm. Laura enjoyed a very long career at Mead Paper Company, where she worked in the Internal Audit Department. Her attention to details and organization were greatly valued, and she was given many opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills. Additionally, she enjoyed working at Elder-Beerman’s in Centerville, so much so that we are sure she paid Elder-Beerman’s with her many purchases of fine china, crystal pieces, and many other things over the years. In fact, she made sure to purchase full sets of dishes for each of her five grandchildren, even when they were just little kids. Wherever she worked, she made many lasting friendships that have been sustained throughout the years. Growing up poor, Laura and Robert pursued a different life for themselves and their children, Jeff and Darinda. The two of them shared a profound work ethic. They worked hard to provide for their family by going to work no matter what. No doubt they helped build others’ immune systems by going to work even when they should have stayed home to recover. They made many sacrifices so that they could build a home in Centerville where they could enjoy things they had never had. Laura enjoyed decorating the family home. She chose furniture, drapes, etc. with purpose. Honestly, anything she purchased was well thought out and meaningful to her. Laura was a woman of deep faith and strongly believed in the power of prayer. She had a personal relationship with God and was secure in her knowledge that He had a place prepared for her in Heaven. She stayed true to her Southern Baptist upbringing by joining Franklin Street Baptist Church shortly after it was established. Laura served God in many ways over the years, including as Sunday School Secretary. She enjoyed keeping detailed records and serving in the church. Her church family was her extended family. Over the years there were trips with church friends, New Year’s Eve all-nighters, and countless other events and adventures. Laura, especially, enjoyed going out to eat on Sunday nights, with who we affectionately referred to as “her posse”- a tremendously loved special group of friends. Friendships lasting a lifetime were made through church connections. Many have relied on Laura for her incredible memory. She had an amazing ability to recall details, family history, addresses, birthdates-you name it, she could probably remember it. That included endless birthdays. Laura enjoyed sending cards for birthdays and many other occasions. She kept Hallmark in business with her countless purchases of cards for every occasion. And, she was always ahead on purchasing a ridiculous number of stamps before the next price increase. You could count on getting a card from her, even if it was months after the event. We will miss getting those late cards. Laura was an excellent cook. Wherever she went for gatherings, there would be personal requests of favorite dishes. She was very accommodating and enjoyed making things for people. Her pie making skills were top notch with the most perfect flaky fluted crusts. Her potato salad, macaroni and tomatoes, cornbread and beans, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy were truly delicious. Unfortunately, her cooking instructions and her recipes have been challenging to follow, as they call for “a smidge”, “a puddle”, or “whatever you think looks right”. We will be trying to figure out how to get the potato salad just right with its secret recipe forever. Sports were a big past time for Laura. She enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals games. She was a super fan of the University of Dayton Flyers. She loved her University of Kentucky “Cats”, and we forgive her for that. When Lauren went to the University of Tennessee, Laura was suddenly a “Vol” fan. Who knew she was a “Vol” at heart? We didn’t know it at the time, but that was the start of her band wagoning for whichever team she might have a reason for her to latch on to. She could swing with the wind in team loyalty. Okay, it wasn’t the wind, but the wins that switched who she was cheering for in a given moment. In fairness, most of her choices were based on her love of Kentucky and Ohio. March Madness was one of her favorite times of the year. Laura adjusted her cheering for a team as brackets shifted. She had no trouble voicing her unhappiness when one of her teams came up short, especially if she felt there were some “bad calls” against her favorite. What’s there not to love about winning? Although Laura wasn’t always the gushiest and most expressive of her love, there’s no doubt how much she loved her family. From her kids, grandkids, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends, she valued each one. Of course, her love for her grandkids was profound. From the birth of Lauren, her first, and Nicholas, Adam, Marin and Sara, she loved each of them and was super proud of them. She showered them with gifts and attended various activities they participated in. Laura was quick to share their accomplishments with others. Her presence in our lives will be greatly missed. Her loving husband, Robert preceded in her in death. They enjoyed almost 61 years of marriage before his death in 2014. Others preceding her death were her parents, brothers and sisters Albert, Maurice Ryan, Mona, Marian, Robert, Garland, and Tommy. Laura is survived by her son Jeffrey; daughter Darinda and her favorite son in law, Ed Reis; grandchildren Lauren and Scott Cunningham, Nicholas Reis, Adam Reis, Marin Reis, and Sara Reis; sister Jamie Cauley; numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends. Services to celebrate Laura will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 5, 2025, at First Baptist Church Kettering, 3939 Swigart Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45440. Pastor Danny Griffith will be officiating. Family will greet guests starting 11:00 am until time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Centerville Cemetery. If you would like to make a contribution in Laura’s memory, please consider one of the following ministries: First Baptist Church of Kettering Missions Fund, 3939 Swigart Rd., Beavercreek, Ohio 45440; Elk Lick Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 6904 Green Ridge-Spa Road, Lewisburg, Kentucky 42256; or Stuart Chapel Cemetery Fund, 6002 Stuart Chapel Road, Lewisburg, Kentucky 42256. Arrangements in care of The Final Legacy, Centerville, Ohio.

Laura N. Shoemaker Jessup

August 24, 1933 - November 23, 2025