Laura Nussbaum Oates, 78, of St. Petersburg, Florida passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026 in the presence of family. Laura was born on April 6, 1947 in Iowa City, IA to George Nussbaum and Viola Phillips Nussbaum. The oldest of six, she grew up in Idaho and later earned her RN degree and served in the US Army as a lieutenant.
She married Samuel George Oates, Jr. in 1969. She was a loving wife to one, mother to three, grandmother to twelve, and friend to so many. Her life was defined by her relationship to the Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Sam and Laura were active members of the local church throughout their marriage, most recently at Ortega Presbyterian in Jacksonville and then St. Petersburg Presbyterian.
She was preceded in death by her parents George and Viola and husband Sam. She is survived by her siblings Harold Nussbaum (Gloria), Joletha Sturdy (John), Karen Perkins, Melva Turner (Russ), and Wayne Nussbaum (Karla); children Michael Oates (Gisela), Rachel Snyder (Chris), and David Oates (Karen); and grandchildren Michael Christopher, Jason, Christina, Caleb Samuel, Daniel, Anna Kate, John, Lauren, John Parker, Emily, Allison, and Courtney Rose.
There will be a graveside service at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 14th at 2pm for family and close friends, followed by a Memorial Service at St. Petersburg Presbyterian Church on Monday, January 19th at 11am.
A real sadness that you have lost a sibling,and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Whenever I think of Laura I always see her bright smile – she seemed to smile and emanate cheer all the time, which was so special.