Laura Knox Yarbrough

Laura Knox Yarbrough succumbed to an eight-year battle with cancer on January 15, 2023. Born Laura Hooper Knox on April 30, 1978 to John B. Knox and Donna Hooper-Knox, she was a Raleigh native, attending both public and private schools, and graduating from St. Mary’s High School and Junior College, completing her education at Peace College, where she served as Vice-President of the Student Government Association and was a member of both the Circle and Scoop (St. Mary’s). After a brief turn at teaching elementary school, Laura found her true calling with a development and real estate firm in 2002. With the trying economic times shortly thereafter, she deftly moved to RE/MAX Signature Realty in 2009, became very successful as an agent, and eventually formed her own team based in Harnett County in 2016. Prior to this, in 2006, she found love and a life mate when she met and married Jody Yarbrough, who joined her real estate team in 2016.

Diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015, Laura began a struggle that neither slowed her down nor dampened her positive outlook on the future. Facing multiple operations on her quest to get well (two of which were 12 hours long), Laura’s attitude toward her challenge exemplified perseverance and courage (see Proverbs 31:25, the Bible verse Laura had framed on her wall). Those in her extensive network of friends, family and colleagues were themselves buoyed by her affirmation of life and saw her as a force unto herself. The mindset she maintained on her own situation led an ICU nurse with 22 years of experience recently to tell Laura she was an inspiration. Laura Strong!

The dedication Laura held toward family and community was staggering. Her Raleigh-based family and her Harnett County family alike have all been blessed with having known and loved her. As a loving and amazing mother of two and a devoted wife, she managed the affairs of both home and work with poise and grace. She was an active member of the Lillington Chamber of Commerce and also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a wish grantor over the years. Her other involvements included serving on the board of the Robin Page Boys & Girls Club, Leadership Harnett, and as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Dunn, NC. Laura was a charter member of the “Lunch Bunch” at Lillington CrossFit and also enjoyed working out at Body By Clint.

Laura could not bear the thought of leaving her two children motherless. Testament to her love and dedication to them is her long term thinking and planning for future milestones in their lives. She made lists, wrote birthday and wedding day cards, purchased gifts and left instructions for the ones they should receive in the coming years. She also gave them assurances that she would be with them always, looking over them in spirit.

Laura’s efforts and ability in real estate are evidence of her popularity and kudos in the business. From 2013 to 2022, Laura alone and with her team garnered eleven awards. Her career was a stellar one, witnessed by two awards in particular. As an individual, Laura obtained from RE/MAX a Hall of Fame Award in 2015 for her successful performance. Most recently, in 2022, the corporate office of RE/MAX bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award for her continued success over the years.

Laura Yarbrough was predeceased by her father, John B. Knox.

She is dearly missed and survived by her husband, Jody, daughter Ashton Elizabeth, son Whittington Cash, mother Donna Hooper-Knox (Robert Rice), twin sister Liz Bottoms (Tommy), brother John B. Knox II (Mary Kate), half-brothers David and Edward Knox, and extended family members that include in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family requests that no flowers be delivered. Rather, donations can be made to any of the following organizations: Robin Page Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 2610 Lillington, NC 27546; Friends Fighting Cancer, PO Box 2265, Dunn, NC 28335; and Project Not Forgotten, 121 East Broad St., Dunn, NC 28334.

A celebration of Laura’s life will be held on January 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Chicora Country Club in Dunn, NC. Laura requested that attendees wear colorful clothing and cowboy boots

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