Laura Louise (Doyal) Chowning

Laura Louise (Doyal) Chowning was born on September 1, 1949, in Inglewood, California, and bid farewell to this world on April 1, 2024, in Red Oak, Texas, following an extended illness with dementia. 

Louise's journey began in California, and throughout her life it took her to many places across the Midwest and Southwestern United States. Due to her father’s work in highway and road construction, the family moved many times in Louise’s early years. Incredibly, she had attended twenty-eight different schools before the family eventually settled on a family farm in Hurley, Missouri, where she graduated high school. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Lynn Maples. Two daughters, Tonya and Lisa, were born to the union, and after several years the young familyrelocated to Texas to pursue greater work opportunities. 

Louise's strength and boundless talents were evident throughout her life. During her children's younger years, she worked as a waitress for many years before applying her cooking and business skills to become the proprietor of two restaurants, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her family's wellbeing. After she and Lynn divorced, Louise later married Tommy Jeff (T.J.) Chowning, and welcomed his two children, Tommy Ray and Tammie, into the family. In her later life, Louise worked for many years with the U.S. Postal Service until her retirement. She relishedthe love for her family and was a doting grandmother to fourgrandchildren.

Outside of her business pursuits, Louise found solace and joy in her garden, cultivating beauty amidst life's hustle and bustle. Herzest for life was unparalleled (excepting her mother’s). She was a force of nature with many talents and was never content to sit idle. She created with leather and ceramics, enjoyed drawing and painting, crocheted Barbie outfits for her girl’s dolls, and was an accomplished seamstress. Louise's versatility knew no bounds.Whether she was upholstering furniture or balancing the books, she thrived in every endeavor she pursued.

Louise leaves behind a legacy of resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination.

She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. May her spirit continue to inspire and uplift those whose lives she touched. 

Louise was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Doyal, father, Clyde Doyal, daughter, Lisa Ann (Maples) Davis, first husband, Lynn Maples, second husband, Tommy Jeff Chowning, and older sister, Anna (Doyal) Wright. 

She is survived by her daughter, Tonya and husband Shawn DeTavernier of Maypearl, Texas, stepson, Tommy Ray Chowning of Lancaster, Texas, stepdaughter, Tammie Chowning of Lancaster, Texas, grandchildren Sarah, Jessi, Nic, and Deonna, great granddaughter Oaklynn, brother Clifford Doyal and wife Patti of Nashville, Tennessee, brother Larry Doyal and wife Darla of Aurora, Missouri, and sister Deanna Medlin of Greenville, Texas, as well as many extended family members and friends. 

Louise was cremated per her wishes. A memorial service is planned for a later date.

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