Funeral services will be streamed live at the following link: http://bit.ly/3SQPFKU

Laura Mae Stocking Parratt, our beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at age 92 in Lehi, UT.

Laura was born in her grandmother's bed on March 13th, 1934 in Burley, Idaho to Rulon Horace Stocking and Mary Johnston Stewart. There was no hospital in Burley.

Laura was born at 8:15 in the morning during an earthquake. She was nicknamed "the earthquake baby." Aunt Lucy claims to have named Laura. She said "I went to Mutual that Tuesday night and heard my teacher give her lesson and she said something about her friend Laura Mae. I went home and said, 'I know what we can name our baby – Laura Mae!'"

Laura's father worked nearly his entire life for the General Electric Company. He was an electrical engineer, working on numerous dams across the United States. The first location was to work on the Boulder Dam, which is on the border between Nevada and Arizona. The family also lived in Alabama (Guntersville Dam), Oregon (Bonneville Dam), Glen Canyon Dam, Flaming Gorge Dam, and more.

The family moved to Salt Lake City when Laura was 7 years old.  They belonged to the Yale Ward where President George Albert Smith, who was the prophet at the time, also attended. President Smith loved the young children and would frequently walk up the hill holding a child's hand on the way to church. Laura remembered having this privilege.

Laura's childhood was filled with joyful experiences. She had many friends who would gather during the day and even into the evening playing outdoor games, such as kick the can and hide and seek. She lived in this neighborhood until she married.

Laura met the love of her life, Robert Easton Parratt, "Bob," while they were both teenagers working at JC Penney. On a rainy day, they were assigned to go to the warehouse to work for the day.

Since it was still raining after their shift Bob offered a ride to her and her friend instead of them taking the bus. Eventually Bob got the courage to ask Laura out on a date. They dated every Friday night. They became exclusive and then dated every Friday AND Saturday night. They dated for 3 years before becoming engaged and were then engaged for another 2 ½ years. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 13th, 1954.

While raising their family, Bob was transferred to different locations: Salt Lake City, UT, Billings, MT, Omaha, NE, Riverton, WY, Twin Falls, ID, and Astoria, OR.

After retirement they moved to Sandy, UT, and lived there for 17 years.  Later they built their dream home in Layton, UT and lived there for 21 years.

Laura had many talents and blessed the lives of her family and others immensely. Sewing, cooking, flower arranging, and painting stand out as some of her favorites!

She taught herself to sew and made clothes for herself beginning at a young age. She made many dresses for her daughters, including matching dresses for her girls and herself at Easter, dresses for many dances (especially prom & homecoming), and even her oldest daughter's wedding dress.

She was a fantastic cook, and enjoyed trying new recipes, to the delight of her family.

She loved flowers, and worked in a flower shop while living in Idaho.  She knew her flowers and loved helping with arrangements.

She also loved art throughout her school years and finally enrolled in an art class while living in Astoria.

Laura had a strong testimony of the gospel. She had numerous spiritual experiences in her life, and was such an example of serving with all of her heart. She taught her children by word and example through many teaching moments. She served in various capacities in Primary, Young Womens, and Relief Society. She and Bob, served missionary assignments at the LDS Employment Center and the Bishop's Storehouse. They also had a lengthy assignment overseeing the welfare of 10 families within their stake boundaries. They lived the gospel and taught it to their children, who were the joy of their lives.

She will always be remembered by her children: Debra Headrick (Tim), Kimberley Hutchinson (William), Lauri Hunter (Keith), Mark Parratt (Cinda), LeAnn Merrill (Robert), and Jamie Parratt. Her posterity is great with 29 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She will be missed dearly, but we are comforted by the many memories we share and the promise of eternal life.  What a legacy of love and kindness she leaves behind! We love you!