July 13, 1955 – September 22, 2021
Laura Ann Emmons, publisher and owner of the Reporter News, passed away Sept. 22, 2021, at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Medical Center. She was 66.
The oldest child of Lloyd V. Morrow and Barbara A. Benner Morrow, Laura was born July 13, 1955, in Killeen, Texas, while her father was stationed at Fort Hood. After his discharge, the family moved to Erie, Penn. then to Lee, Mass., before settling in El Lago in 1965.
Laura graduated from Clear Creek High School and then attended the University of Texas at Austin. Her newspaper career began in 1979 with Triad Communications. After her marriage to Randy Emmons in 1982, the couple purchased the Friendswood and Pearland newspapers in 1993. There was rarely a dull moment in the family-owned business, which later added a Manvel edition.
Laura and Randy cultivated many friendships in Pearland, Friendswood and Manvel over the years. A gifted artist, Laura often added her sketches to greeting cards and in her children’s lunches during their school years. Her grandsons became the lights of her life, and she loved to talk about her children and grandchildren to anyone willing to listen. She found many takers, as her humor and wit made her an excellent storyteller and all-around entertainer.
Always a hard worker behind the scenes, Laura continued publishing the family’s newspapers after Randy’s passing in 2017, never missing an issue despite the pandemic or winter storms of 2021.
Laura was preceded in death by husband Randy Emmons, mother Barbara Morrow and son, Derek Dreyer.
She is survived by her father, Lloyd Morrow of El Lago; son Branden Emmons and wife De’Aun Emmons of League City; daughter Kelly Yung and husband Chris Yung of Houston; brother John Morrow of Manvel; sister Susan Martin of Austin; brother Rick Morrow of Austin; and grandsons Asher Emmons, 13, and Zayn Emmons, 4, of League City and Kieran Yung, 2, of Houston.
A private service is planned Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at Jeter Funeral Home, Friendswood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those expressing condolences consider a donation in Laura’s memory to the charity of their choice.
5 thoughts on “Laura Ann Morrow Emmons”
With my deepest Sympathy. I always enjoyed talking to her whenever we would talk instead of emailing, we were good at making each other laugh. She will be missed by me for sure.
Melanie with the Galveston Daily News.
Since 1990, have always loved talking to Laura. A quick 5 minute conversation to purchase advertising, often would turn into 30 minutes as she told stories of her children and grandchildren. Kelly and Branden- so sorry for your loss of your father and now your mother. They truly loved being your parents.
Love you, Grammie.
We are sad to hear of Laura's passing. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family and the Reporter News staff. I was blessed to have worked for Laura for 14 years (1989 – 2003) and Patti for 8 years (1995 – 2003). We'll always be thankful for the opportunity that she provided to be a paid writer. Laura was a tough, but fair owner/manager. She will be missed by many area organizations such as the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce. Laura will always be in our hearts!!
I just saw the news of Laura's passing, and my sincere condolences to her family. If I remember correctly, I met Laura (& Randy) in the early 90's, possibly earlier, when we opened the tire store in Pearland. She has always been so knowledgeable, flexible, and helpful in publishing news/articles no matter what organization for which I was submitting information. Our Pearland/Friendswood/Manvel communities have lost a great leader, publisher, business owner, and last but not least – friend. May we always have our fond memories, and may she rest in peace.