Laudra Ivelee Anthony

Laudra Ivelee (White) Anthony has gone home to be in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on October 23, 2024 in College Station, Texas at the age of 82.

Born on January 18^th, 1942 in Wetumka Oklahoma to Starling Washington and Ethel Joyce White. Laudra was the 4^th of 5 children; Carroll Eugene, Marvin Ray, Ulys Wayne, and Linda.

Growing up, everyone who knew and loved Laudra called her “Sis”. She enjoyed spending her time with her 3 brothers and sister, as well as riding her horse Champ. Time, skill, and friendship allowed for the two of them to travel bareback and jump fences as they traveled to and from school each day. At a young age, she demonstrated her incredible work ethic while working on the farm and caring for her little sister Linda.

In 1956, while visiting his uncle’s church (Freewill Baptist) in Wetumka, Kenneth Anthony noticed Laudra sitting in the back pew. A few months later, they spoke for the first time, and that was the beginning of their beautiful life ahead. On May 24^th, 1958 Laudra and Kenneth Anthony were married at  his parent’s Ottes Henry and Velma Anthony’s family home, in Weleetka Oklahoma.

Laudra was a devoted wife and mother to her three children. She was an avid reader, and resourceful seamstress. She had a joyous spirit and enjoyed spending time outdoors. She would regularly be found fishing and working alongside her husband Kenneth. They did everything from managing cattle to clearing brush on their family land. Throughout the earlier years in their marriage, Kenneth’s job in construction took their family to various cities across the country. Laudra was always willing and ready to do what was necessary to support her family with no questions asked, quickly packing up their home, finding a new home and reintegrating her family into a new community and often an entirely different state.

For fourteen years, beginning in 2002, Laudra and Kenneth cherished annual trips with their family to Schlitterbahn and the Frio River.  As an Oklahoma girl that never learned to swim, these adventures highlighted her fearless and joyful heart. She really enjoyed her Cherry Coke Zero and peanut butter cookies.

Laudra retired from Texas A&M University Registrar’s Office in February 2007. During this time she received an Outstanding Staff award which further defines her work ethic and professionalism. Her colleagues regularly spoke to her dedication and love for all those she encountered, including the students’ lives she greatly impacted. Her generous heart was evident as she opened her door to so many. This servant-hearted part of her was more officially recognized by the Future Farmers of America, where she received an award for Distinguished Service in the Channelview Chapter for her many volunteer hours.

After retiring on the same day, she and Kenneth enjoyed trips across the United States with her sister Linda and brother-in-law Johnny. Although all their trips were their favorite, they spent a lot of time visiting destinations that highlighted their ancestry.

She will be lovingly missed by her husband of sixty-six years and 152 days, Kenneth Anthony, her sister Linda Brooks and sister-in-law Annette Anthony. Her three children Vicki Fenney, Mike Anthony and his wife Patty Anthony and Lori Fry and her husband Terry Fry.

As a caring grandmother to many real and honorary grandchildren Laudra became affectionately known through the latter years of her life as “Meme”. She will be missed by her grand-children John Fenney, Kim Fenney, Kristina Hagen, Darren Hagen, Megan Merkel, Justin Merkel, Daniel Anthony, Bridgid Anthony, Seth Fry, Colin Fry and Ariel Fry. Along with her great grand-children Grace, Noah, Sarah, Hannah, Drew, Blake, Lucy, Sammie and Riley, numerous nieces and nephews and her best fur baby, Gabby.

She is preceded in death by her parents S.W. and Ethel Joyce White, in-laws, Ottes Henry and Velma Anthony, and siblings Ulys Wayne White, Marvin Ray White, Carroll Eugene White, brothers-in-law Bob Anthony, Doug Anthony, Johnny Brooks and son-in-law Steve Fenney.

The family wishes to thank our angel doctors, Dr. Charles Peirce and Dr. Rhoda Conant. Additionally, nurses Camille and Coleen with Brazos Valley Hospice for their comfort care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude or Brazos Valley Hospice. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 5pm-7pm at Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 3001 S. College Avenue, Bryan. The funeral service will be at 2 pm on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, Bryan, with the burial following at Steep Hollow Cemetery. Express condolences at www.CallawayJones.com.