Laura Francis Freeman Burke was born to the late Mr. James Freeman and Mrs. Gergiann Evens Freeman on September 5, 1940, in Anniston, Alabama. Sadly, Gergiann passed away early in life during childbirth. God graciously blessed Laura with the Late Mrs. Ora Lanier Freeman, who along with the village guided Laura into the woman she became.

Joyous, gracious, fun-loving, always smiling and joking, loved to dance, loved good food, "Let's go get something good to eat!", "Let's go for a ride!", and of course, a good sale (lol). She loved her kids, her family and her friends whole-heartedly. She never met a stranger…Laura Francis Freeman Burke.

Ms. Laura graduated high school at Calhoun County Training School in Anniston, Alabama in 1958 and took several courses at Alabama A&M.