Laura Massee (Walker) Bond

Laura Massee Walker Bond, 78, died Saturday, September 1, 2018, in Hall County, GA in an automobile accident. A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of Holy Family in Jasper, GA on Saturday, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. with The Rev. George Yandell celebrating and The Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins preaching. A graveside service will be held at the Peterson Family Cemetery in Ailey, GA on Sunday, the 16th, at 1:00 p.m. The interment will be conducted by The Rev. Denise Vaughn of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia, GA.

Laura was born February 14, 1940, in Macon, GA to Flora Katherine Snooks Walker and Charles Carson Walker. She spent most of her youth in Marshallville, GA (her father’s hometown) and enjoyed being with her brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and especially her grandmother, for whom she was named. Her family moved to Pensacola, FL in 1954, and she graduated from Pensacola High School in 1957. She then received her Associate’s Degree in Fashion Design at Stephens College in Columbia, MO. After graduation she moved to Chattanooga, TN, to work for Rogers Lingerie as a designer. She met her future husband in Chattanooga.

On June 21, 1961, she married Henry Bond III, her husband of 57 years, in Pensacola. Henry’s graduate education, military service and early business career took them to St. Louis, MO, Toul Rosieres AFB, France (where daughter Laura was born) and Schenectady, NY (where son Henry was born), but in 1966 they happily returned to Georgia. Throughout their moves, Laura continued her education at Albany State University, NY, and ultimately received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with Honors from Georgia State University. She worked as a preschool teacher and later had a successful career in real estate with Barton and Ludwig.

One of Laura’s great joys was building community. In Atlanta, she was active at the Cathedral of St. Philip where her many roles included President of the Daughters of the King, and Chapter (Board) Member. In 1997, Laura and Henry moved to Big Canoe, GA, where Laura enjoyed multiple book, bridge, and garden groups. She and Henry were longtime members of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, helping that community grow from worshipping in a temporary triple-wide trailer to worshipping in a beautiful permanent sanctuary. At Holy Family, Laura served on the Vestry and especially enjoyed her work on the Flower Guild. When, in 2016, Laura and Henry moved to Gainesville, GA, they received a warm welcome at both Lanier Village Estates and Grace Episcopal Church. At Lanier, Laura reconnected with old friends from Atlanta and Jasper, and made many new friends. She continued with bridge and book clubs and was especially happy to garden without having to fight the deer as she did at Big Canoe.

Laura’s greatest joy was her family. In addition to her father’s Walker/Massee Family of Marshallville, GA, she cherished her mother’s Peterson/Snooks Family of Ailey, GA, and enjoyed many annual family reunions on both sides of her family. Laura always maintained a close relationship with her brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews (never missing a birthday or anniversary). She especially loved being with her children, their spouses, and her four grandchildren. In addition to their visits to Big Canoe and later LVE, Laura enjoyed visiting the Barkers in Washington, DC and the Bonds in Kansas City, KS. She had recently enjoyed a warm Christmas with the Barkers in Miami, and had celebrated grandson Daniel's high school graduation in Kansas City. Most recently she enjoyed a special two week trip to Scotland with daughter Laura where they explored the Peterson Family’s Scottish Heritage.

Laura is survived by her husband Henry Bond, III; her two children, Laura Bond Barker and Henry Richmond Bond and their spouses, Jack and Stephanie; her four grandchildren, Kathleen and Martha Barker, and Julia and Daniel Bond, of whom she was very proud; and two of her brothers, David Walker and Carson Walker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Katherine and Charles Walker, as well as her brother, Felton Walker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, 202 Griffith Road, Jasper, GA 30143 or the Peterson Family Cemetery, P. O. Box 7, Ailey, GA, 30410.

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