Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Owens Solley who returned to her heavenly home on August 20, 2025 at the age of 64. Born on November 6, 1960, Laura was a woman of faith who loved deeply - she was a dedicated mother, a cherished sister, a loving wife, and a friend to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. She passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in Fairhope, AL, a town in southern Alabama that she would describe as the most beautiful place on earth, and where she decided to root herself and spend her life.
Despite leaving us far too early, Laura would be the first to say she lived a full life and set out to accomplish what she was put here to do. Her first priority was always her three children, whom she loved deeply and dedicated her life to raising. She brought a sense of levity and humor to their childhood, turning mundane errands into exciting adventures complete with Dairy Queen dip cones and Jimmy Buffett singalongs. Still, always proper, she expected her children to address adults with a “sir” or “ma’am”, a habit they carried into adulthood. Even as they grew up and moved away, Laura spent countless hours on the phone staying up to date on every detail of their lives. Visits centered around Wii golf match-ups, Farkle battles, and laughter that often continued late into the evening. As time passed, Laura became not just their mother, but also their best friend.
Her love did not stop with her children, either. There is not a cashier, Uber driver, or waiter who was safe from becoming newfound friends with Laura - she adored meeting new people and building connection through shared life experiences she’d uncover quickly through conversation. Humans were not the only ones to feel Laura’s love, either. She believed all animals were God’s gift to us and treated them accordingly, even the less popular ones like opossums, which she deemed as “simply misunderstood.” If she had her way, she would rescue every dog, cat, and hamster from the shelter to occupy her backyard. Her nurturing spirit can be further felt with a visit to her garden, where she tended to her dozens of plants, flowers, and trees, managing to keep them alive for decades on end.
Laura could never comprehend why anyone would choose to live less than a few miles away from the southern Alabama coastline. It was here that she met the love of her life, Eric. Together, they spent frequent evenings at the beach, enjoying the picturesque sunsets while walking their beloved dogs, Maggie and Murphy. Both great cooks, they would then return home and spend the rest of the evening together in the kitchen. Despite her preference for a simple life, she had a deep understanding of the world as a voracious reader and possessed the unique talent of immersing herself into several books at a time while somehow managing never to confuse the plots.
Laura is survived by her loving husband, Eric; her three children and their spouses, Dan (Allie), Amanda (Jamie), and Linda (Josh); her grandchildren, Miles and Oliver, and another grandson on the way. She also leaves behind her six siblings: Len, Meg, Mark, Drew, Paul, and Steve, as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless beloved friends near and far. She has rejoined her parents, Ned and Janice, and her loyal dogs, Comet and Maggie, in Heaven.
Laura’s life will be celebrated on September 25, 2025 at 10am at The Venue at Hidden Lake in Silverhill, AL. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, supporting a cause near and dear to her after caring for her mother who suffered from the disease later in her life, or The North Baldwin Animal Shelter, to honor her deep love of all of God’s creatures. In her final act of selflessness, Laura donated her body to science, which is currently under the care of the University of South Alabama Medical School.
Words will never fully express the deep gratitude and love we have for Laura and the everlasting impact she left on this world. Rest in peace, sweetheart.