Laura Marie Rademacher

Laura Marie Rademacher, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 29, 2025.

Laura was born on January 17, 1947, in Lansing, Michigan to William and Loretta Dowling. She graduated from Allen Park High School in Allen Park, Michigan and the Mississippi School of Therapeutic Massage. She also attended Hinds Community College. Laura attended Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon.

Laura worked as a server at Tico’s, Ramada Renaissance Hotel, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Shapley’s and as a sales representative for RJ Reynolds before becoming a massage therapist.

Laura met the love of her life, Mel Rademacher, when they were both working at the Thunderbird Inn in Detroit, Michigan. Laura and Mel married in 1966. She remained Mel’s loving wife for 43 years.

Laura and Mel moved from Michigan to Brandon in 1977, where they raised three children together. They were extremely proud that all three of their children graduated from college and that each of their grandchildren of college age did so as well.

Laura and Mel also felt very blessed to be able to purchase the family farm in 2005. Rademacher Hills was the accomplishment of their lifelong dream to provide generations of their family with a place to enjoy the outdoors together.

“Selfless” sums up Laura’s life. She exemplified the Christian virtue of quiet sacrifice. Whether doing without so she could help a family member or friend, teaching adult students to read in her “free” time, contributing the bulk of her monthly income to deserving charities or just pitching in anytime she saw an opportunity to lighten someone else’s load, Laura gave tirelessly of her time, talent and treasure without a moment’s hesitation.

Laura never missed an opportunity to remind us “the Good Lord’s in charge”, which provides comfort in our current time of grief.

No one could have asked for a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt or friend. We were truly blessed to have her undying love, constant support, sage guidance and humble example. We will miss her dearly.

Laura leaves behind three children, Renee Marie Clark (William) of Tchula, Erik Rademacher (Tammy) of Madison, and Kurt Rademacher (BJ) of Franklin, Tennessee. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Brian Dyess (Alex) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mark Dyess (Caroline) of Madison, Corey Dyess (Abby Grace) of Nashville, Tennessee, Lindsey Busby (Garrett) of Pearl, Madison Rademacher of Madison, Bailey Rademacher (Maggie) of Madison, Duncan Rademacher of Franklin, Tennessee and Whit Rademacher of Franklin, Tennessee. She also leaves behind six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Laura was preceded in death by her loving husband Mel Rademacher, her parents William and Loretta Dowling, her sisters Betty Lewis, Harriett Tarnowski, and Loretta Rush and her brother William “Herky” Dowling.

Visitation will be at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, Mississippi from 11:00am to 12:30pm on Sunday January 4, 2026. The funeral will be at 12:30pm at Ott & Lee followed by a graveside service at the family farm in Little Rock, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be Laura’s grandsons Brian Dyess, Mark Dyess, Corey Dyess, Bailey Rademacher, Duncan Rademacher and Whit Rademacher.

Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Sylvester, Ron Williams and David Ditto.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made in Laura’s name to St Jude Children’s Hospital.