Smsgt. Laura Hegwood Bay, Usaf (Ret.)

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Laura Bay, 55, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

Laura was born on August 6, 1962 in Kewanee, Illinois to the late Charles and Zelda Burton Hegwood. In the spring of 1980, she graduated from Galva High School in Galva, Illinois. Later that year, Laura joined the United States Air Force where she served her country for over 20 years before retiring with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. In 1999, she relocated to the Warner Robins area where she lived the rest of her life. Following her military career, Laura worked in Human Resources at Robins Air Force Base. She had a servant’s heart and was always volunteering her time to different causes and organizations. Laura had a zest for life and always enjoyed camping, cooking, and catering. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears Fan. Laura also had a special place in her heart for animals especially dogs. However, her family was always her greatest source of pride and joy.

Her sisters, Deloris Nelson and Betty Ann Dickinson, preceded her in death.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her husband, Kirk Bay of Byron; stepchildren, Brittany Marie Bay of Yucaipa, California, Kirk Gregory Bay, Jr. of San Marcos, California, and siblings, Janet Ferris (Don) of Wyoming, Illinois, Mary Jane Hegwood of Byron, Georgia, Debra Burnett of Galva, Illinois, Kevin Hegwood of Des Plaines, Illinois.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Laura’s life will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at McCullough Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Laura Hegwood Bay to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mrs. Bay’s arrangements.