Laura E. Bender, age 60, of Winston-Salem, NC, formerly of Butler, passed away at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Winston-Salem on Thursday, February 16, 2017, surrounded by her family.

She was born May 23, 1956 in Butler, a daughter of the late Edward Horkey and Doris J. Patterson Horkey Smith.

Laura enjoyed the outdoors, especially the beach, baking, collecting recipes, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Donna L. Horkey and Melissa S. Bender and her fiancé, John Morrison, all of North Carolina; one son, Patrick J. Bender, Jr. and his fiancé, Kandy Taylor, of Sharon, PA; two sisters, Alta Fay McCommon, of Butler, and Catherine A. Jack and her fiancé, Ernest Schnur, of Herman; two step-brothers, Richard Horkey and his wife, Brandi Williams-Horkey, of Kentucky, and Edward Horkey.

Laura is also survived by six grandchildren, Bradin, Brittany, Bradley, Mason, Hayden, and Avari.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Stephen Horkey; and one sister, Valerie J. Horkey.

Funeral services and burial were held in North Carolina.