Laura Bell “Jeff” Garard McEady was born on November 17, 1920, in Winokur, Georgia to the late Walter and Renear Garard. She always said, “I’m trying to make 100 cause 99-½ just won’t do.” Heaven couldn’t wait and she was called home to rest on February 17, 2020.  She was surrounded by her loving daughters.

Laura was married to Walter McEady and together they had 6 daughters.  She was a member of Greater Bethel Baptist Church and spent many years as a homemaker and domestic worker.

Laura enjoyed listening to music and some of her favorites included: Elvis, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Mahalia Jackson. She also loved cats and there was never a time in her adult life that she didn’t have one. Ms. Kitty was her most recent beloved pet, but stray cats were almost always welcomed too…sometimes more than people. She loved to cook and in her younger years, prepared dishes with the collards, tomatoes, and peppers she grew in her garden. You couldn’t step into Laura’s home without her offering you a cold drink or a hot meal. Even if you weren’t hungry, Laura wouldn’t let you leave without asking you, at least a half dozen times, to have a bite to eat.

She enjoyed attending the bi-annual Garard Reunion gatherings, which were started by the family in 1986. She was the last living sibling of the Garard Clan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; daughter, Yvonne “Bonnie” Sanders; siblings, Helen D. Malachi, Marion Bell, Central Garard, Alma Walker, Albert Garard Sr., Walter Lee Easton, Louise McMillion, and Nellie Taylor.

Laura is survived by daughters, Linda, Wanda, Marilyn, Carilyn (Eugene) and Valery; grandchildren, Tyrone, Tyra, Vendetta, Dierre, Lebra, and Danielle; great-grandchildren, Troy, Stuart, Khalil, AJ, Ashiya and RJ and TJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.