KILMARNOCK—Laura H. Quesenberry passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, in Kilmarnock, at the age of 86.
Laura was born on October 12, 1939, in Roanoke. She was the daughter of Dr. W. W. Hurt and Martha Moomaw Hurt. Laura grew up on the family farm in Bristol, where she developed a lifelong love of nature, the land and animals, as well as a passion for cooking and sewing. She graduated from Virginia High School and attended Virginia Intermont and ETSU.
Laura was an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts, serving as a district leader in Delaware, Hillsville, Woodbridge, and Bristol. She also served on the Girl Scout District Board. Laura was a poll worker in Washington County, and a devoted member of Pleasant View Methodist Church in Abingdon. She was also a member of the Wolf Hills Quilters and the Rural Friendship Club.
She met her husband, Don G. Quesenberry, on a blind date, and they were married in Bristol. They were best friends throughout their 48 years of marriage. After moving for various teaching positions, they returned to the family farm in the winter of 1968, where they assumed responsibility for the dairy herd. Over the years, they grew the Grade A herd to 200 cows before retiring in 1996.
Laura’s love for animals was evident throughout her life. Her primary role on the farm was raising calves from birth until they were ready for the field. In addition to the registered Holsteins, the farm was home to many dogs, even more cats, chickens, geese, squirrels, a Muscovy duck, donkeys, goats, horses, a baby skunk and opossum babies.
Laura’s love for sewing grew into a deep passion for quilting after retirement. She and Don also loved to travel on farm trips and to visit family. Buxton, North Carolina, was a favorite gathering place, often bringing together as many as 31 family members.
Laura’s love for people was evident in the many foreign students she and Don welcomed into their home. Many stayed in touch over the years and returned for visits, including one in particular who became a dear friend and pseudo-son, Dr. Gabriel Mendy of New Orleans and The Gambia.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; her sister, Rachel Hurt Marty, and brother-in-law, Dr. Soph Marty; and her nephew and his wife, Roger and Catherine Marty.
She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Pittman (John) of Kilmarnock and Sara Arseneau (David) of Goshen, Ohio; her grandchildren, Ben Pittman (Melanie) of Ferrum and Taylor Doukas (Alex) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and her great-grandchildren, Avery, Rhett and Kye Pittman of Ferrum. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Millican (Glenn) of Richmond; nieces Dr. Lucinda Marty, Karen Marty (Mark), Becky Marty (Paul) and Carter Millican; nephew, Tripp Millican; many great nieces and nephews; and countless church family members, neighbors, quilters, club friends and nearly everyone Laura ever met.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. January 10 at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee. Arrangements were handled by Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Girl Scouts of America, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 5046, New York, NY 10087-5046; or to your local Girl Scout Council.
