Laura Dillow

Laura Dillow

1959 – 2022

Laura Francine Fields Dillow of Warnock, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday January 9, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born to the late Pebble Gay and Clyde Fields on October 1, 1959 at Bellefonte Hospital. Laura married her high school sweetheart on September 4, 1976, graduated from Greenup County High School in 1977, and welcomed the first of three children in 1978. She is survived by her loving husband, David Lloyd Dillow; daughters Chrissy Dillow and her significant other, George Bagnoli and Mitzie Heaberlin and her husband Ben Heaberlin; grandsons Connor and Jensen Heaberlin; siblings Sharon, Sonja and Tim Fields as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Jason Dillow, and Vicki Evans, her best friend in life who was like a sister.

She loved children -- whether her own children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighborhood kids or her students at Greysbranch Elementary. She was always ready to provide the love and care a child needs. A dedicated mother, she treasured her children and was always so proud of their accomplishments. She especially loved being a grandmother. The days Connor and Jensen were born were two of the happiest days of her life. Her love for "Mamaw's Boys" was immeasurable and boundless. She loved being a grandmother so much that she adopted Josh and Stephanie Gillum so that their children Korbin, Bowen and Emerson Gillum became her bonus grandchildren and she loved them as her own. 

Laura made friends everywhere she went. She loved to laugh and used to joke, "We could all be dying in a pile and I'd find a reason to laugh." She possessed so many talents -- writing poetry and short stories, sewing and quilting, and photography to name a few. She loved reading, gardening, feeding the birds, anything Irish and every kind of flower but peonies were her favorite likely because that was the flower David gave her on their first date. Genealogy became one of her passions. She loved tracing a family's history and was a stickler about having written documentation to prove a connection. She loved attending her grandchildren's events and those of her nieces and nephews and their children. She had very little interest in sports but could often be seen attending games to cheer on her loved ones. What mattered to them is what mattered to her.

Laura was very active in her community. At church she enjoyed helping with Bible School, Clothing Closet, meal preparation during funerals, and much more. She was the Secretary/Treasurer of Greenup County Genealogical Society and volunteered in the Genealogy Room at Greenup Public Library, assisting families with their Genealogy searches. She assisted in coordinating the Northeastern Kentucky Genealogy Conference and was a member of Greenup County Public Library Book Club.   

She cherished her time as a member of Warnock Homemakers Club and the Greenup County Homemakers Club, where she was serving as President when she became ill. She was Devotional Chair for the Northeast Area Homemakers Club, a dependable volunteer at election polls, and a volunteer with GOTEM (Greenup Old Tractor Engine and Machinery) helping make ice cream during Greenup Old Fashion Days. She volunteered at exhibit booths for the Greenup County Fair and for numerous fund-raising events throughout the county and state. 

She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity toward others but the final words here go to her grandsons, Conner and Jensen, who were her heartbeats in life. She would always say, “I love you, I love you, I love you” when she talked to them and then, “I need you!” When they replied that they loved her back, she would say, “I love you more.” She usually got the last word. Not this time. Her grandsons want to say, “We win, Mamaw. We love you more.”

A funeral service to honor Laura's life will be held Saturday, January 15, 2022, beginning at noon at Wright's Funeral Home located at 1017 East Main Street, Greenup, Kentucky 41144 with Brother Nathan Ball officiating. Visitation for friends and family will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022, starting at 6 pm at Wright's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tri-State Spay and Neuter, 210 Lakepoint Drive, Grayson, Kentucky 41143.

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