Laurie Douglas (L.D.) McGraw, Sr.

Laurie Douglas (L.D.) McGraw, Sr. was born on November 6, 1933 in Castor, Louisiana to sharecroppers Franklin Pierce and Mary Oleta Farley McGraw.

L.D. joins his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Elise Cooper McGraw in Heaven, never to be parted again. The family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where he worked in the Walgreens Fountains Foods as a Soda Jerk until graduation from Byrd High School in 1952. L.D. joined the Air Force traveling to England where he witnessed the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. He took many pictures and loved telling the stories to everyone. After serving his country, he went to work for South Central Bell until his retirement in 1985.

L.D. enjoyed life and was a big help to anyone who was in need. He loved gardening and his yard was filled to the brim with daylilies, iris, and roses of all colors. Family was important to him. He planned fun vacations every summer. Camping and fishing at area lakes was always something he looked forward to. He took many hunting trips with family to Bienville and Sabine Parish. He also went to Wyoming a few times with his son. L.D. loved the Lord and would help in whatever capacity needed in the church.

L.D. was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elsie McGraw; sister, Evelyn Bailiff; and niece, Sherry Allen. Left to cherish his memory include his children, Renee McGraw of Shreveport, LA and Doug McGraw (Jackie) of Keithville, LA; sister, Virginia Alexander of White Oak, TX; brothers, William McGraw (Lenora Craig) and Gene McGraw (Sandy) of Cypress, TX; grandchildren, David Ryan Norris of Keithville, LA, Lacy Taylor (Jon) of Shreveport, LA, and Stacy Henington (Cole) of Shreveport, LA; great-grandchildren, Macy and Samuel Henington and Jonathan Taylor; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. with services to follow at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, located at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA 71118. Officiating the service will be Bro. Jeremy Sutton. Burial will follow at Bethsadia Cemetery, 8470 Highway 1216 Many, Louisiana 71449

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to St. Joseph Hospice and Nurse Paige who brought memories to L.D. from a childhood friend named Paige, and National Home Health Services: Jeremy, Adam, Treva, and the nurses who worked to keep him walking as long as possible. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. William Maranto, Hannah Williams, and Meghan Harris. We thank each one of you for the care, compassion, and love you have provided for L.D. and family.