Laura Ann Baty

Laura Ann Baty, 36, unexpectedly passed away on July 22nd, 2026, at her residence in
Baltimore, Maryland. Laura was born in 1990 in Orlando, Florida and moved to Gate City,Virginia as a young child. She graduated from Gate City High School where she played the flute in the band. She performed and assisted with the Kim Jenkins School of Dance for many years. Following high school, she attended the University of Virginia's College at Wise, where she earned a degree in history and theater. 

She was very active with the performing arts, including music, dance, theater, stand-up comedy, creative writing, and as she would say she "loved to talk." She adored animals,especially cats.

At the time of her passing, Laura worked for the Mayor's Office for Employment Development in Baltimore, Northwest Location, as a Career Development Facilitator,assisting clients to overcome barriers and integrate into the workforce. This entailed helping with professional resumes, as well as connecting clients with employment opportunities and occupational training programs. Prior to this, Laura worked for the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, where she assisted clients with gaining entry into apprenticeship programs. She worked through the COVID crisis as an essential employee for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. She also worked as a gallery host for the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia.

Laura was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Pauline Coleman, of Gate City,Virginia; and her paternal grandmother, Natalie Sue Baty Myers, of New Castle, Indiana.Laura is survived by her parents Tom and Jenny; Cole and Nathaniel, brothers; Patrick Coleman and Andy More, uncles; Tucker and Becky Coleman, uncle and aunt; Sam and Kathy Coleman, uncle and aunt; Matt and Amy DeMoss, uncle and aunt; Molly Peche,aunt; several cousins, great uncles and great aunts.

Laura was very passionate about social justice issues. The following charities were thoughtfully chosen with her convictions in mind. Donations in honor of her memory can be made to Free State Justice or the Women’s Housing Coalition.

In addition to her great love of her kitties (Hugo, Sophie, and Sebastian) we have also chosen the Baltimore Feline Rescue Society, a rescue for senior cats. It was a future goal of hers to adopt senior kitties to help them with their journey across the Rainbow Bridge.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Gate City Funeral Home. Services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m., in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with words of comfort and stories of Laura by family and friends.The family request that Halloween or Fall costumes are welcome if anyone desires, or wear the color purple.

She was loved. She will be missed dearly.

An online guest register is available for the Baty family at www.gatecityfunerals.com 

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of laura "Lolly" Ann Baty.