Aransas Pass - Laura M. Capps Welborn

3-21-1948 – 9-17-2024

Laura was born on March 21, 1948, in North Carolina to parents Hazel Smith and Thurman Capps.  Laura was raised with her siblings, Judy Hardy and Larry Capps, in Houston, Texas.

Laura joined the US Navy after high school which provided her first look at South Texas as she flew over on assignment after Hurricane Celia to land at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Enthralled by the coast, Laura enrolled in college at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Mike. They married in 1973 and welcomed their only child Elizabeth later.

After both having furthered their education, Mike and Laura decided to make Mike’s hometown of Aransas Pass their forever home.  Laura embraced the community with a passion and became a committed champion of all things Aransas Pass. This love and devotion was recognized by all when she was recognized as Citizen of the Year.

A lifelong educator, Laura devoted her professional life to the students and schools of APISD, serving as a teacher, principal and homeless liaison for the district. Laura exceled as a principal, leading her campus to garner statewide honors and recognitions. Apart from her campus achievements, she distinguished herself in the education community as she was honored to serve on the statewide textbook committee appointed by the governor. She cherished the staff she worked with dearly and loved all of the students that attended Keiberger Elementary. 

Apart from her professional life dedicated to educating the children of APISD and enriching their educational experiences, Laura had a passion for championing the causes of those in need in our community.  Allowing her passion to guide her, she sat on numerous boards and charitable organizations.  Laura was particularly proud of the work she did advocating on the San Patricio County Child Welfare Board, the San Patricio Adult Literacy Council, the Rotary Club, and the Christmas United Way gift distribution program for Aransas Pass.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church of Aransas Pass, Laura, along with her husband, Mike, were fun and spirited MYF leaders for a number of years.

Laura loved her family, the water, gardening, and reading. Any day that involved a good arts and crafts project was a good day.

Laura’s joyful approach to life will be missed by all those that knew her, especially her devoted four-legged companion, Bailey.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Welborn; her parents, Hazel and Thurman Capps; her sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Ken Hardy; her brother, Larry Capps and nephew Chris Capps.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Elizabeth Welborn; her brother-in-law and wife, Ron and Darlene Welborn; nieces Deanna  Welborn Clark, Teresa Welborn, Rebecca Hardy Girgenti, Sherry Hardy Bogdan, and Lorie Hardy Thornton; nephews Tom Welborn, Jimmy Capps, Mike Hardy, Brian Hardy, Paul Hardy, Matthew Hardy, Mark Hardy; and all of their loving families.

Laura was unbelievably impressed and honored that her daughter has committed to serve as president of the recently created APISD Education Foundation to carry on her mother’s name and passion to meet the needs of the students of APISD.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the APISD Education Foundation ( www.APISDEducationFoundation.org ) to honor and continue Laura’s work with the students of Aransas Pass.

The family would like to extend a thank you and sincere gratitude to all the staff at Brookdale Trinity Towers, Holmgreen Skilled Nursing and the Brookdale at Home for the love, respect, and care they provide to the residents of their community.

A Memorial Service and interment will be held in celebration of Laura’s life on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Service at the chapel will begin at 3:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be Tom Welborn, Jimmy Capps, Mike Hardy, Brian Hardy, Paul Hardy, Matt Hardy, Mark Hardy, Matt Girgenti and George Thornton.

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Aransas Pass.