Laurese Jontaé Relf

Service is being live streamed on S.L. McLaughlin Funeral Home Facebook page.

Laurese Jontae’ Relf, affectionately known as “Scuba”, was nicknamed by her father, when she came out the womb via c-section like a scuba diver. She was a vibrant life force, an amazing daughter, a loyal sister, a faithful friend, and an extraordinary mother. Laurese left this world suddenly on April 27, 2023 at the age of 31, but lives in our hearts forever.

Laurese was born on July 26, 1991 to Theodore Jr. and Shelley Relf. The youngest of six, she completed the pack and “the shop was closed” for good. Laurese had a strong personality and made her own decisions from the beginning; with a few being her decision on how and when she would be born and the fact that heels were better than flats at the age of 2. “Flats, I don’t think so!"

Throughout her childhood, Laurese was a very active and talented child. She participated in dance teams and steps teams. She played the clarinet and she loved to sing. Laurese had a strong sense of self. She was confident and never dimmed her light for anything or anyone. She inspired many with her passion, resilience, and ability to always see the best in others. Once Laurese loved you, you were infinitely loved. Her loyalty has led to lifelong relationships that will carry her memories for generations to come.

After graduating from Troy High School in 2009, Laurese continued her education at Hudson Valley Community College. She later transferred to Austin’s School of Spa Technology, where she obtained her Cosmetology degree and license. Laurese was a hard worker and lived for the grind. She often did hair while maintaining full time employment in the sales and customer service fields. Laurese’s priority was to practice good financial stewardship to assure that poverty was never a part of her story. Laurese wanted to make sure that her children were well taken care of and had everything they needed.

Laurese was a social butterfly and often the life of the party. Her home was known as the gathering place for every “SQUAD” shinny and turn-up. Laurese loved to spend time with her family and friends. Nothing in the world was more important to her, except maybe food. Scuba was a foodie! She loved seafood, meat, and mac n’ cheese. She will be remembered for her trendy fashion sense, boisterous laugh, her vocal spin and extra-long drag of every song, and her head turning dance moves.

Laurese is survived by her two sons, Izias Rush and Iylon Brooks; her parents, Theordore Jr. and Shelley Relf; her siblings, Tiarese Relf, Patrice Relf, Sharese (Shandla) Relf-Stewart, Katrice Relf, and Justin (Carrie) Relf; her grandmother, Eva Pearce; her grandfather, James Purdie; her aunts, Deborah (Keith) Williams, Anita “Tammy” Christian, Cynthia Purdie, and Renee Flowers; her uncles, Antonio (Valinda) Johnson, Rasheen Shelton, and Joseph (Mary) Bruce; her niece and nephews, Jamir Casseus, Josiah Nino, Jamil Taylor, Sohren Stewart, and Sophia Relf-Benton; and a hosts of cousins, extended family, “THE SQUAD” and friends.

Laurese recently discovered that she and her love, Xavier Brooks, were expecting their second child together. Both the life and legacy of Laurese and their unborn child will be cherished always.

Laurese lived by the mantra, “More Life, More Everything!”

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