Laurie Queen Obituary (2021) – Greensboro, NC

Queen, Laurie William Simon

They say, when writing about grief, to use quick, concise sentences. With that in head, Greensboro vogue icon, Laurie William Simon Queen, died peacefully in her snooze whilst at residence on Wednesday morning, August 4, 2021. In that instant, for all who understood and cherished her, the universe precipitously diminished in the wake of her passing.

Born in Greensboro, NC, her Lebanese immigrant mothers and fathers, the late William and Athena Simon opened a tiny outfits shop situated at 530 S. Elm St., in 1944, and named it Laurie’s, soon after their only daughter. The business thrived and, in 1957, Laurie and her brothers, Marshall W. Simon, and Edward W. Simon moved Laurie’s from the S. Elm St. place to turn into the 1st vogue retailer to anchor the manufacturer new Friendly Shopping Middle. In the early ’70’s, the keep produced its final move just just one block down to the corner of the buying block and into an monumental 16,000 sq. foot retail area, now home to Harper’s Cafe. The store continued to develop retail operations to Northeast Shopping Heart, Forum VI, and Carolina Circle Shopping mall. Separately, their eldest sibling, Fred W. Simon opened and operated a Laurie’s in downtown Reidsville, NC. Laurie was a trailblazer lengthy just before terms like —Feminist were being in put —in a field dominated by gentlemen during the ’40s,’50s,’60s, and ’70’s, and noticed to it that ladies she observed possible in pursued their aspirations. She was in New York Town on shopping for excursions each six weeks, walking Seventh Ave. and the aspect streets, hitting all the trend residences and buying workplaces of the time to hand decide what would be featured for sale in the retail outlet back down south. She frequently experienced to slake male egos together the way, but constantly finding the best bargains on the best manufactured outfits achievable. Laurie’s was not just a substantial-end women’s garments retail outlet, but these who worked there aimed to shepherd their buyers to the most classy solutions to co-star the gatherings they ended up to go to, which was a point of pride for equally the retail outlet, the loved ones, and Laurie herself— she wanted to be a director of these motion picture shorts — the salespeople, supporting solid — in which these exclusive reminiscences would be underscored for the client — the actual stars of the film — whose activities would afterwards engage in out versus the silver display screen of their life.

In 1986, the four siblings made the decision it was time to retire and move on to test to execute the matters they nevertheless aspired to test in the later stages of their respective lives. The selling of Laurie’s garnered press in national trade publications these kinds of as Women’s Wear Every day. After retirement, Laurie traveled Europe thoroughly with her beloved spouse, Lawrence (Larry) T. Queen, a retired veteran North Carolina journalist. These was Laurie’s capability for compassion and empathy, she mentioned in her journal, “The Cathedral’s of Europe have been The Palaces of the Inadequate” — the place each individual working day males and girls could gather, elevated as Kings, Queens, Dukes, and Duchesses of their spiritual area and comport with dignity. Laurie was a woman of solid spiritual conviction, but her spirituality wasn’t a weapon, but a framework of philosophies assembled to reside as perfectly as attainable, although hewing closest to the love Jesus Christ taught. She had no desire to be “Born Again.” In her thoughts, “when was adequate,” a little something she claimed routinely, and with a terrific offer of mirth and humor. Upon arrival back in the states, she observed an injustice that needed to be dealt with, and so she volunteered to inspect situations in nursing residences throughout the state of North Carolina, and dedicated nearly twenty decades to ensuring citizens in amenities across the point out had entry to proper well being care, clear dwelling ailments, and were being handled with respect and dignity in every single property. But most importantly, her enjoy of Christ was as pure as any we may possibly ever see. She hid behind almost nothing in judgement. She arrived at throughout to men and women — the sinner — to elevate them up and remind them they are loved without problem, which is why it will have to be explained that she was the most Christlike person men and women will ever know. Laurie was preceded into demise by her spouse, Lawrence T. Queen, Jr., brothers, Eddie W. Simon, Marshall W. Simon, and Fred Simon. She is survived by her only son, Lawrence (Larry) William Queen and nieces and nephews, Laurie Simon Burke, Karen Michelle Simon Furman, Lois Williams Simon, Mary Shakro and her partner, Phillip, Freddy Simon and Marshall Simon. Also surviving are a lot of loving great nieces and nephews and treasured friends.

Laurie will lie in point out Sunday, August 15 from 11:00 am till 4:00 pm, at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel, 515 North Elm Road. Laurie’s Memorial Services will be held Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at St. Andrew’s Episcopalian Church, 2105 West Market place St., at 11 AM for an outside assistance in front of the church, followed by completion of the company graveside at Environmentally friendly Hill Cemetery.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is aiding the Queen family members with arrangements. On the internet condolences may be shared by traveling to www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.