Laury Lynn Goolsby, Ph.D., 51, of Harrisonburg, Va., passed away unexpectedly May 7, 2010, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville surrounded by her family and close friends.  Born Jan. 16, 1959, in Oklahoma City, Okla., she was the beloved daughter of Patrick and Diane Goolsby of Richmond, Va.  

Laury graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School in Richmond, Va., in 1977. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., in 1982, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Mu sorority. She received her Master of Science in psychology in 1985 and her Doctorate of Philosophy from Auburn University in 1988, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Laury was a member of the Alabama Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. She was a dedicated psychologist and moved to the Valley in 1995, where she established her practice in clinical psychology.  

Laury is survived by her beautiful daughter, Grace, age 9; her parents, Pat and Diane; sisters, Vicki Beatty and Leslie Dolliver; two brothers-in-law, Chip Beatty and Mike Dolliver; nephews, Davis and Patrick Beatty, Daniel Dolliver and her niece, Reagan Dolliver, all of Richmond; her Aunt Gwen and Uncle Billy Hendrix of Madisonville, Texas; Aunt Ann McClendon of Tyler, Texas; cousins, Lisa Zummo of Houston and Tina Luttrull and their families; Dawn Goings and her family from Dallas, Texas; and many close dear friends.

Laury was a loving, caring and devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend.   She was a beautiful person on the inside and outside who touched many people's lives.  Laury will be missed dearly, but will be in our hearts and minds forever.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at the Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, 1871 Boyers Road. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at Kyger Funeral Home, 3173 Spotswood Trail in Harrisonburg.

The service will be followed by a luncheon reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Caravan Program, a Children's Ministry, supported through the Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, 1871 Boyers Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kygers.com.

Comments

Add New

Friend of Dr. Laury I am so sorry to hear about Laury... she was very special. I just wanted to send my deepest sympathy to the family, and to Grace. Much love, Barb Johnson Barbara Johnson 2010-05-10 07:47:33

I am so sorry and shocked to hear of Laury's death. I was fortunate to have worked with her ever since she came to Harrisonburg, when we were in private practice and at RMH. She was both compassionate and competent. I always felt comfortable referring patients to her. She will be greatly missed. Jack L. Wright, M.D. 2010-05-10 07:57:09

R.N./friend I have had the grand opportunity of knowing Laury for 15 years. She was a very special person, a good friend, an extra special confidante, and a wonderful Mom. Grace was the light of her life. I will miss her deeply as I know many others will. I extend my sympathy to you, her family and close friends, and especially to Grace. I hope as she grows older, someone will explain to her what an extra special Mom she had. Blessings to you all. Barb Kiracofe 2010-05-10 08:09:32

My friend Laury Laury and I had the opportunity to meet as colleagues and become dear friends. We laughed together and cried together. We promised to help each other through difficult times and celebrate the good ones. She will be missed beyond words. She was a beautiful person. Marian Aveson 2010-05-10 08:42:38

My heart is breaking I wanted to extend my condolences to Laury's family and friends at the loss of such an amazing person. While I had never had the chance to meet her personally, I do know from working with her Mom, of her tenacity, forthrightness, and depth of soul that was Laury Goolsby. I know that her friends and family will come together to support one another during this most awful time. Elizabeth Anderson 2010-05-10 09:19:04

I knew Laurie for 13 years. I was a client of hers and I can say without a doubt that with out her and her "tough love " style and her reality therapy I probably would not be writing this to you. The last few years we grew as friends she would share her life a bit and I would listen as she voiced some of her frustrations. She and I were non conformists at heart and had talks about how political everything was. She always was caring , and honest with me and never gave up on me, that is something that I will treasure always. I even process my challenges now like this "what would Laurie say right now" or perhaps WWLD "what would Laurie do".. I will greatly miss her. I am sorry for your great loss. David Johnson David Johnson 2010-05-10 09:34:58

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. She was a special lady... Love to you all. Lynda and Bill Lynda Harris 2010-05-10 12:52:11

friend I was shocked and sorry to see the obituary. I remember when she was in high school and college; even then you could see she was a special person. My condolences to Pat, Diane,Vicki, and Leslie. Bill Shields 2010-05-10 14:56:37

I am so sorry about Laury's sudden passing. I had the privilege to know Laury when we both worked at RMH and after we left. My heart, thoughts and prayers go to her family and to Grace, all my sympathies. To her many caring friends, much love, I will miss her much and know we are not alone. Liesel Y. Showalter 2010-05-10 14:23:54

I am so very sorry to hear about Laury. Please know that I am sending thoughts and prayers to all of you right now. I will always remember her as the smart, determined woman that she was with a giant heart, a bottomless love for Grace, and the wicked sense of humor-especially during Scrabble matches! Erin Rawls 2010-05-10 15:26:17

friend So sorry for the loss of this special lady,she will truely be missed by lot's of people I will be praying and thinking of the family,youall are in my thought's and prayer's ,and to Gracie David and Donna McElmurray 2010-05-10 16:04:25

Condolences Diane/Family: Words cannot begin to express our sorry in hearing of your daughters passing. Kathy and I are thinking of you and your family at this difficult tme. Gene and Kathy Henley Gene and Kathy Henley 2010-05-10 16:29:36

friend My heart goes out to the entire family of Laury. You will be in my prayers tonight Grace. Jennifer Coffelt 2010-05-10 17:26:28

I was so very sad to hear the news today. Laury was a wonderful person and an excellent psychologist. She will be greatly missed. I will keep you all in my prayers- especially Grace who was certainly the light of her mother's life. Jerri Alexiou 2010-05-10 18:04:17

I can not express how sorry I am to hear of the passing of Laury. She was a very special person to me and my life saving counselor and friend. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten. I am thinking of the entire family but espically Grace. Dawn Sutton 2010-05-10 18:13:07

The Best To everyone who loved Laury: I am deeply saddened to learn of Laury's sudden passing. She has been special to me since we we lived next door to one another and were in the same 6th grade class together. It was a great time in my life. She meant the world to me then and through our college years as we stayed in contact. Laury will be remembered as a caring person who had time for others and a comforting smile regardless what she was going through in her own life. An exchange of Facebook messages in late April/2010 after 28 years being out of touch will always be treasure. My prayers for comfort go out to her family, close friends, and associates. Tom and Sadonna Magazzu, Flore 2010-05-10 18:27:54

Leslie and family - I am saddened to learn of the loss of someone so special. Please know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days to come. Blessings and Peace Carol Davis 2010-05-10 18:48:23

Amazing Person Dear Goolsby Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Laury was an incredible person, who taught me a lot about strength and courage. I saw her face challenges, and she inspired me with her resiliency. I consider myself so fortunate to have known her. She was a special person who made a lasting impact on my life. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Cammie Tutwiler 2010-05-10 19:28:46

dsf class of 1977 laury's high school classmates are stunned and terribly saddened as the news of her death has spread today. we are thinking of her family and precious daughter tonight. sally san soucie 2010-05-10 19:30:09

Loyal As I pondered on what to write to all of Laury's loved ones, I thought of Laury and the person she was, and what she meant to me. Loyalty...that is what I think of when I try to describe Laury. She was loyal and trustworthy; a beautiful person. I am a better person for having known her, and will greatly miss her. Laury was my counselor and friend since 2001. Over the years, she listened, and she shared her life and heart as well; trustworthy, and trusting as a friend. My heart aches for all of her family, especially her dear daughter Gracie. Grace, your mother loved you more than you can ever imagine, and from what I have heard you have the same spunk as your Mom did. She was so proud of you, and referred to you as her miracle. Her love will stay with you. May our heavenly Father bring comfort and peace to all of her loved ones. Carol Crabtree 2010-05-10 20:07:25

Amazing Lady What a gift Laury was to all who knew her!! She was such a great person inside and out.I had the pleasure of being her hairdresser for years and due to life changes,lost touch.She amazed me with her spirit and kind heart and the love she had for her nephews and awsome trips with her mom! When she became a mom herself, she glowed and Grace was the bright spot in her life! Laury will be missed much because she helped and touched so many thru the years here. I send the family my deepest sympathy and prayers to heal hearts and bless you with many wonderful memories of a beautiful,kind woman!! Grace your mother loved you so very very much!! Kennea Solomon Kennea Solomon 2010-05-11 05:02:51

amazing doctor and person Sorry to hear about Laury. She was a great person. My deepest sympathy. mary 2010-05-11 08:08:40

Wonderful and caring person/friend My heart goes out to Laury's family; I only knew her for a short year - she was my counselor and she helped me through some very tough times, but I felt that she became more than just a therapist - rather a friend. I learned a little about her life and especially about Grace, whom she loved so much. She will be greatly missed by many but she will never be forgotten. Lynn McNeal 2010-05-11 12:15:04

FROM DIANE'S CLIENT i WAS SHIOCKED AND SADDENED TO READ OF LAURY'S DEATH IN THE RICHMOND TD. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU, DIANE,AND TO PAT AND LAURY'S SISTERS. THE LOSS OF A CHILD AND SIBLING IS OVERWHELMING. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH GRACE AND ALL OF YOU. AT SOME POINT, COMFORT ZONE CAMP, HERE IN RICHMOND COULD BE A BIG HELP TO GRACE. YOUR CLIENT AND FRIEND, NANCY M. BOWMAN NANCY M. BOWMAN 2010-05-11 12:39:23

former Byrd M S assistant principal I was saddned to hear of Laury's passing. I remember her, and her family from Byrd Middle School. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers. john irby 2010-05-11 12:44:05

high school chum I am of course saddened and shocked, as is everyone, regarding the sudden passing of Laury. It just doesn't seem possible someone so bright and shining could be gone so young. I cannot imagine the loss to her family. I remember going to Bryan Park many, many yrs ago with her and several other h.s. buddies and laughing all day and being so silly. We had such fun. May each of her family members remember her joy and embrece Grace with that love for life and others. With deepest condolences to all, Jody Bambacus Jody Bambacus 2010-05-11 13:06:11

Laury was such a giving, passionate person who made a positive difference in my life. It was a blessing and an honor to have known her. Although I never met Grace, it was evident that she was the light of her life. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Suzanne 2010-05-11 13:13:42

high school friend What a shock it was to hear of Laury's passing. I will always remember the fun times we all had with her. My thoughts and prayers go out the her and her family. Bill Graham 2010-05-11 14:18:21

Laury and I had offices that were close together when she worked at the hospital and would find ourselves doing on the spot peer supervision, from time to time. She was helpful and supportive to me and I helped her process a few sticky situations, as well. I enjoyed her counsel and company. I have much respect for her tenacity, clinical skills and ability to connect. God bless Laury, Grace and family/ friends. Ron Shelton 2010-05-11 15:17:58

single mom friend My love goes out to Grace and the rest of Laury's family. I met Laury when Grace and my son were in the same kindergarten class and we became "single mom" friends until I moved away from Harrisonburg. Laury was wonderfully generous, spunky, and caring and Grace is every bit the same way. I am so glad to have had the chance to know Laury and am so shocked and saddened by the news. Sam and I send our condolences to everyone, but particularly to our friend Grace- we will hold you in a special place in our heart as you continue to grow up. Always know that your Mom loved you more than anything, and always will. Annie Papero 2010-05-11 20:19:00

friend Laury was an amazing woman whose warm compassion and tenacious spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. I learned many life lessons from her and will dearly miss her. My condolences go to her family, especially Grace, in their time of need. Angela Hensley 2010-05-11 22:52:09

Diane's Friends Our deepest sympathy to Diane and the Goolsby family. From reading the warm and thoughtful messages, it is obvious what a beautiful and thoughtful daughter Laury was. Your job as parents was well accomplished. May loving and peaceful memories sustain you all. Marybeth and Charles Meacham Marybeth Meacham 2010-05-12 07:17:05

To Diane and family, I am SOOOOOOOOOO sorry to hear about your loving daughter and friend's passing i will most definitly put her on my prayer Board tonight. So i can pray for her everyday! I know she was an Amazing person and friend to all of you. My heart goes out to you Diane and know that she will always look like you! Love and blessings, Anne Meacham Anne Meacham 2010-05-12 09:30:24

An amazing woman I am so sorry to hear of Laury's sudden passing. I have been a client of hers for more than 10 years and I know that had it not been for Laury, I would not be here today. Not only was she an excellent therapist, but a warm and compassionate friend and someone who actually took pride in helping others....even though she had challenges of her own. She was truly a beautiful person and I am all the better for knowing her. She made me who I am today. My heart goes out to her family, but especially Grace. Grace, you were truly her miracle and she loved you more than you could ever imagine....and that love will never die. God Bless you Laury....you may be gone, but will never be forgotten and you will be greatly missed by all those you touched. Alicia Meeks 2010-05-12 16:37:27

I want to say how sorry I was to hear of Laury's passing. I worked with Laury for awhile and then knew her through her journey with cancer at the cancer center. I will remember Laury for her intelligence, her humor, her strong spirit and her down to earth way of being. She was a good person and an excellent therapist. She was loved by many and will be missed. She always spoke with such pride of her daughter Grace. Her eyes would shine with the joy she felt in that relationship Elaine Dunaway 2010-05-13 19:14:13

Friend Hi dear family & friends of Laury I am a friend from the past when laury had first moved here and even tho' we didn't stay in touch I would see her here and there. I am very sad and say prayers for all of you. I am a single mom also, so can relate to the single mom-ness of her. She will be missed in this community! Saundra Larson Saundra Larson 2010-05-15 15:52:44

She was dear trusted friend and counselor for several years. She will never be replaced in my mind. I just want to send my sympathy to the family. Grace she loved you with all her heart. With much love Brenda Weaver Brenda Weaver 2010-05-18 07:13:43

Pat Goolsby, Vickie Beatty and all the family, please accept our condolences at the death of your daughter and sister, Laury. Pat, you and Vickie helped me so much when our grandson with Down syndrome was born. A loss such as this is nearly impossible to bear. I am thinking of you and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Pat Fishback Pat Fishback 2010-05-18 07:25:37

Friend Pat & Diane-So sorry to read of the loss of your daughter. May you find the peace you need to bear this grief. Terry Lancaster 2010-05-19 13:03:24

An Angel Laury was to me an angel who helped so many people through such difficult times. She did the same for our family and I know we wouldn't be where we are without her. I was so saddened to learn of her passing this weekend. She spoke so highly of her daughter Grace and how much she loved her. I hope that Grace can always remember what a wonderful person and mother that she was. There will never be another Laury to us. She was one of a kind. We will miss her. Our prayers are with Grace and her family as you go through this difficult time. Mark & Martha Ringwald Mark & Martha Ringwald 2010-05-24 11:26:17

Friend I remember Laury well from Byrd Middle and Freeman. What a sweetheart. I read with interest the comments by Sallie, Jody and Bill - what a blessing that we had a chance to spend some time with such a wonderful person. And a fabulous smile. I look forward to digging out my old yearbooks and searching for a comment by Laury. I was thrilled to read of hear amazing accomplishments since high school. To her daughther Grace, as you already know, your Mom was - as we said way too much in 1977 - "awesome." To all - my deepest sympathy. "Tommy" Davis Thomas M . Davis 2010-05-26 08:21:15

Phi Mu Big Sister Laury was my "little sister" in Phi Mu at William and Mary. It has been 30 years since we saw each other, but I was still jolted when I saw her obituary in the W&M alumni magazine this evening. While her passing is now almost 6 months past, I still wanted to express my sympathy on the loss of someone so dear. Laury was a special person - it was obvious when I met her, and that was why I was thrilled to serve as her "big sis" shortly after she joined the sorority and had started at W&M. God Bless - may Grace always remember how wonderful her Mom was. Best, Bonnie Pobiner Bonnie Pobiner 2010-10-13 20:53:17

Miss you during the holidays Aunt Lala, i miss you so much and still cant believe you are not here. i lovee you soo much and i regret not coming up when you asked because i was busy. i miss you soo much and you made a HUGe impact on my life. I am going to miss you during the holidays and its going to tough. Grandma put up aa BEAUTIFUL picture of you up in her room where the adults open presents so that you will be at Christmas with us! I lovee you soo much and you dont know how muchh i miss you. I know cried the most at your funeral because you meant sooo much to me! i still have the crown and the wand you gave me when i was born. even though its not in full pieces anymore i will keep it FOREVER! i miss you and there holidays will be soo hard. I cannot believe it has been 8 months and 8 days! You impact my life so much! WE have a whale on our window now because i know that was your favorite animal,we have that on our window now so that you will always be... Reagan Dolliver 2010-12-18 16:15:22

important have you ever heard something about link:http://www.4rx.com/ ? I think you should add something about that element, shouldn't you? Merkel 2011-08-08 08:51:07

Client of Laury I was a client of Laury's and she literally saved my life. I still use the tools she gave me in therapy to deal with everyday challenges. I am just receiving the news of her passing now in 2011 because I was googling her name to find her address to send her a thank-you card for all she did for me. I will never forget the time I spent in Laury's care- she gave me my life back. Anonymous 2011-08-11 11:58:22

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not notifynotify
Title:
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.26

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."