NEWTON…Ms. Laura L. Vinson, a resident of Newton, died Thursday morning, June 11, 2026, at her home. She was 72.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery in Opelika. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Vinson, the daughter of the late Leland Morgan Vinson and Agnes Magdalene Howard Vinson, was born and raised in Opelika, a place that always felt like home to her. She graduated from what is now, Lee-Scott Academy in 1971 and later from Auburn University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science—something she was incredibly proud of, especially at a time when few women were entering that field.
After college, she began a long career with the Social Security Administration. She dedicated more than thirty years of her life to serving others there, working hard, showing kindness, and building friendships that lasted well beyond her retirement.
Outside of work, she found her greatest joy in the simple things. She loved being outdoors—whether it was feeling the sun on her face, tending to her yard, or just taking in the quiet moments of nature. Animals held a special place in her heart, and she cared for them with a gentleness that reflected who she was as a person.
She was a faithful member of Hopewell United Methodist Church in Opelika, where she found comfort, community, and a sense of belonging.
She is preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Chandler, and her brother, Leland Vinson. Though she has left this world, the love she shared, the kindness she showed, and the memories she created will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Surviving relatives include her sister, Pauline Hobbs, Newton; sister-in-law, Yoka Vinson, Hubert, North Carolina; nieces and nephews, Steven Hobbs (Cathy), Delane Daniels Carney (Clark), Eric Chandler, Angie Chandler, Lee Ann Nhoybouakong (Alan) , and Joshua Vinson (LeAnn); great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
