Laura Smith

In Loving Memory of Laura Sparks SmithBorn in Rapid City, South Dakota – 01/18/1954 | Passed on May 2, 2025

Laura S Smith passed away on May 2nd 2025. , leaving behind a quiet strength that touched everyone who knew her. She was steady. She was funny in the most unexpected ways. And above all else, she was deeply, endlessly loving.

Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, she grew up in the care of her grandparents — a childhood she always remembered as full of warmth, comfort, and the kind of stability that later shaped how she loved others. She carried those early lessons into every role she held: as a sister, mother, grandmother, and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Taylor Smith, and her granddaughter, Zoey Daniel, the two people who brought her the deep joy and pride. She was also a cherished sister to Bob Sparks (older), Tom Sparks (younger), and Margaret Paradiso (youngest), with whom she shared a lifetime of memories, mischief, laughter, and unwavering connection.

Her love for simple pleasures never faded — a hot cup of coffee, a good movie, a deck of cards, and anything that involved music. She especially loved musicals and action flicks, a surprising combo that perfectly captured her layers. She’d sing in the car, laugh easily, and always made space for others to be themselves.

She was the one who showed up when it mattered, even when it wasn’t convenient. She didn’t need recognition to be reliable (in fact she hated it). She gave without making a show of it, worked with quiet pride, and believed deeply in sticking by the people you love.

What she passed down wasn’t flashy — it was better. She taught us to take a step back, to look at things from different angles, and to remember that most hard things aren’t solved in a single day. She didn’t pretend to have all the answers, but she always made you feel like you weren’t alone in the question.

She will be remembered not for grand gestures, but for all the little ones — the kind that build a life, a family, and a legacy of love that now stretches far beyond her.At this time, no public services are planned. To send flowers or messages, please contact Taylor Daniel (Smith) directly at taylor.daniel1222@gmail.com or 706-284-5943.., or you may honor her memory by donating to the Sandy Hook Promise https://takeaction.sandyhookpromise.org/a/inhonorof.