Valerie Lynn Straw

Valerie L. Straw, 62, of Gatesville passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. A Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Scott’s Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the memorial service. Valerie was born on June 5, 1953 to Dr. Harry G. and Virginia Hamilton Straw in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Memorial High School in Houston in 1972. After high school, Valerie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. She became a knowledgeable and well respected nurse working in all facets of the medical field ranging from cardio vascular surgery, psychiatric nursing and memory care. Later in life, Valerie had the opportunity to travel and work in various countries all over the world. After moving to Gatesville, she worked as a nurse for Texas Department of Corrections until her retirement. For most of her professional life, she served as an ombudsman for the Texas Dept. of Aging. Valerie will be remembered as strong willed woman who fought cancer with grace and dignity for over a decade. She was also a member of Eastwood Baptist Church in Gatesville. Valerie was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Harry G. Straw. Valerie is survived by her mother, Virginia Straw; sister, Vicki Brasuell-Trujillo and husband, Michael Trujillo; niece, Jennifer Brasuell; and nephew, Zachary Brasuell. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Susan G. Komen Central Texas, 3000 Herring Ave., Suite 4E, Waco, TX 76708.