Laura Ray Poniace Seats was born October 8, 1938, in Augusta, Arkansas, to Anthony and Ollie Seats.  She was the 10th of 10 siblings, 7 girls and 3 boys.  Both Parents; her husband, Louis Leroy Paige, Sr.; 2 children; 5 sisters; and 3 brothers, preceded her in death.

Poniace was baptized at the age of nine at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Augusta, Arkansas. Later, she became Youth Leader and was considered a role model. After moving to Kansas City, she joined Progressive Baptist Church.  She worked as an usher, choir member, junior matron, Sunday school, and BTU.  Years later she joined Timothy Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas.  There, she was President of Pastor Aide and Vice President of the usher board.  She worked diligently helping to build a new church.  When the new church was built, she purchased a bench in memory of her son, Louis Jr., who also was a member. A few years later, she joined Macedonia Baptist Church, where she continued working on the usher board until she couldn't anymore.

Poniace graduated in 1956 from Carver High School, in Augusta, Arkansas, where she played basketball.  After graduating, she received a scholarship to Arkansas Baptist College to further her education and continue playing basketball.

On June 18, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Louis Leroy Paige, Sr.  To this union four children were born, Cathy, Louis, Jr., Kelvin, and Trevis; and her step-daughter, Valeria Ann Chapple.

Poniace worked several jobs in her lifetime.  She was a caregiver at Little Sisters of the Poor, domestic engineer, custodian, and cafeteria manager in Shawnee Mission School District.  Poniace also worked 34 years at Volume Service, Chiefs and Royals Stadiums, Bartle Hall, and Kemper Arena, as a cashier, moving on to manager and then supervisor.

Poniace was a lifelong member of The Augusta Arkansas Club.  She looked forward to attending the Augusta Reunion every year for 36 years.

She was kind, generous, and fun-loving.  She loved watching sports, traveling, bowling, playing cards, entertaining, cooking, and playing bingo.  She was a caring and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and helpful neighbor.

Poniace is survived by her 3 children, Cathy, Kelvin and Trevis; 1 sister, Neotris Johnson; 15 nieces, 9 nephews, 20 grands, 18 great grands and 3 great great grands, great nephews & nieces, 2 sister in-laws, 1 brother in-law and many friends that she cherished dearly.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.