GILFORD - Lura S. Athanas, 90, born January 2, 1924 passed away peacefully on February 28, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. Lura came from a large farming family in Tobaccoville, North Carolina. Born to Ernest and Martha Sprinkle, she was the tenth of eleven children.
At 18 years old, Lura took a Civil Service Exam and shortly thereafter she was notified that she had passed and was to report for duty in Washington, D.C. where she served at the Pentagon during World War II. Lura met her husband, Lou, a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corp., while playing in a government ladies’ basketball tournament. As Captain of her team, Lura called a time-out to question a call that the referee, Lou, had made. He listened for a moment, then said, “Let’s discuss this after the game.” Lura replied “OK,” but insisted he bring his rule book. That was the beginning of a love affair. Lou and Lura moved to Laconia in 1946 and made their home there for forty-six years. During her lifetime, Lura's passions were spending time with her family and watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports.
Lura is survived by her son, Lou Jr., his wife, Susie, and three grandsons, Colby, Austin and Jack all of Gilford, N.H.; her daughter, Felipita Altimari, her husband, Nick, and step grandchildren, Frank and Meredith, all of Midlothian, Virginia; and one sister, Mozelle Marion, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In addition to her parents, Lura was predeceased by her husband, Lou Athanas, on January 14, 1997.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 from 5PM to 7PM at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance.
A family graveside service will be held in the spring at the family lot in Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia, N.H.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Lou Athanas Youth Basketball League, P.O. Box 1633, Laconia, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.