In the warm glow of family photographs from the 1990s, Laura Ann Locklear appears with a gentle smile, standing beside her daughter and granddaughter at moments that would later become part of public history.
While her daughter Marla Maples and granddaughter Tiffany Trump navigated the spotlight, Laura chose a different rhythm: one of quiet strength, Southern grace, and unwavering family devotion.
If you’ve wondered about the woman behind the famous names, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore the thoughtful story of a matriarch who proves that legacy doesn’t require headlines.
Who Is Laura Ann Locklear?
Laura Ann Locklear was a former model and family matriarch, best known as the mother of actress Marla Maples and grandmother of Tiffany Trump.
Born January 24, 1940, in Georgia, she lived a life defined by family, faith, and quiet dignity.
Unlike many relatives of public figures, Laura consistently maintained a private life, appearing mainly in family photographs and memorial notices rather than seeking attention for herself.
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Full Name: Laura Ann Locklear (also recorded as Lura Ann)
- Birth: January 24, 1940, Georgia (Dalton/Trion area)
- Passing: March 6, 2014, age 74
- Known For: Mother of Marla Maples; grandmother of Tiffany Trump
- Public Presence: Intentionally private; appears in family photos and memorial notices
Why Her Story Resonates
Laura’s choice to live privately feels both rare and refreshing. In an era where family connections are often leveraged for attention, she reminds us that you can honor your loved ones while still protecting your own peace.
Her story speaks to anyone who has supported a famous family member while choosing to keep their own heart and home sacred.
Roots and Family Legacy
To understand Laura Ann Locklear, it helps to know the family that shaped her world. Born in Georgia in 1940, she grew up in a generation that valued quiet stewardship, faith, and close-knit relationships.
Her father, Arnold W. Locklear, and mother, Lura Blackwell, provided a foundation of stability that Laura would carry forward throughout her life.
Georgia Beginnings: Early Life and Family
Laura’s early years in Dalton and Trion, Georgia, placed her in the heart of Southern family culture. She later married Stanley Edward Maples, with whom she had a daughter, Marla Ann Maples.
Though the marriage ended in divorce, Laura remained a devoted mother, supporting Marla’s early ambitions while maintaining the family’s grounded values.
Marla Maples: A Daughter’s Public Path
As Marla Maples built a career in entertainment and later married Donald Trump, Laura’s role shifted to that of supportive matriarch.
She appeared occasionally in family photographs from the 1990s, including gatherings at Mar-a-Lago, always positioned as a steady presence rather than a focal point. Her quiet support allowed Marla to pursue public life while Laura maintained her own boundaries.
Life Beyond the Headlines
Laura Ann Locklear is described as a former model who later focused on family life as a homemaker and matriarch.
While details about her modeling career are sparse in public records, her transition to family-centered life reflects a choice many women of her generation made: prioritizing home and relationships over public recognition.
From Modeling to Matriarch
Laura’s early work as a model likely offered glimpses of public life, but she chose to step back as her family grew.
This decision aligns with her overall approach: engaging with the world on her own terms, with dignity and discretion. Her legacy is not measured in headlines but in the strength she provided to those she loved.
Family Photos and Quiet Support
The most visible images of Laura come from the 1990s, when she appeared alongside Marla and granddaughter Tiffany at family events.
These photographs capture a grandmother’s warmth and a mother’s pride, without seeking the camera’s focus. They remain the primary visual record of her public presence: authentic, unposed, and deeply personal.
Later Years and Legacy
In her later years, Laura found companionship with Robert Whitton of Clarkston, Michigan, who is remembered in memorial notices as her devoted partner.
This relationship reflects Laura’s capacity for love and connection throughout her life, even as she maintained her preference for privacy.
Robert Whitton: Companionship in Later Life
Memorial notices describe Robert Whitton as Laura’s “longtime fiancé and companion” who “loved, adored and worshiped his beloved Ann.”
This tender language suggests a relationship built on mutual respect and affection, offering Laura comfort and partnership in her final chapter.
March 2014: A Graceful Passing
Laura Ann Locklear passed away on March 6, 2014, at age 74. Memorial services were held in Dalton, Georgia, through Coats Funeral Home. Obituaries described her as “a christian a beautiful woman with a heart of gold,” survived by her father Arnold W.
Locklear, daughter Marla, granddaughter Tiffany, brother Dennis Locklear, and companion Robert Whitton. Her passing marked the end of a life lived with grace, faith, and quiet strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laura Ann Locklear may not have sought headlines, but her story matters. In choosing privacy, faith, and family devotion, she offers a quiet reminder that you don’t need a spotlight to live a meaningful life. Sometimes the most powerful legacies are written not in tabloids, but in the love we give and the grace with which we live.
Sources:
Ovessia Biography Archive — https://ovessia.com/laura-ann-locklear/
Coats Funeral Home Obituary — https://www.coatsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Lura-MAPLES
Find a Grave Memorial — https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126976466/lura_ann-maples
WikiTree Family Tree — https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Locklear-90
FamilySearch Historical Records — https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/G4L8-843/lura-ann-locklear-1940-2014
Getty Images Archive — https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/view-of-from-left-former-model-laura-ann-locklear-her-news-photo/682323212
