Cora Rae LaPORTE

Cora Rae (Creech) LaPorte, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on July 3, 2026 at home leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, creativity, and kindness. Born on July 13, 1942, in Harlan, Kentucky, Cora's life journey took her from the hills of Kentucky to Washington state and ultimately to Wyoming, where she became a cherished member of the Kemmerer and Diamondville communities for more than five decades.
Cora graduated from Mossyrock High School in Washington and later attended Tacoma Business College. On May 26, 1967, she married Richard LaPorte in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, beginning a marriage that would build a loving family and a lifetime of treasured memories.
From November 1, 1983, until her retirement on September 19, 2003, Cora was a dedicated employee of Lincoln County School District No. 1 in Diamondville, Wyoming. Through her years of service, she touched the lives of countless families, and coworkers, earning respect and lasting friendships.
Cora survives by her loving children, Lisa LaPorte (Donald Lewis) of Ellensburg, Washington, and Rick LaPorte of Kemmerer, Wyoming. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty Ann (Turner) Creech and David Creech; her brothers, Walter Middleton and Ernest Middleton.
Family and friends were at the heart of everything Cora did. Her grandchildren will forever remember afternoons spent sharing Coke floats and helping make her delicious strawberry jam. She found happiness in the simple pleasures of life; a captivating spy novel, planning her next beautiful quilt, and the thrill of placing a Scrabble tile on a triple-word score. An avid collector, she delighted in searching for depression glass, especially when she discovered a long-sought piece at a neighborhood yard sale.
Cora treasured the many lifelong friendships she cultivated over the years. She loved gathering with friends, sharing stories and laughter, and keeping in touch with those she held dear. She especially enjoyed traveling to Washington, Missouri and Oklahoma to visit family and lifelong friends and reconnect with cherished memories of her youth.
Those who knew Cora will remember her warmth, quick wit, creativity, and genuine interest in the lives of others. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome, whether around her kitchen table, while working on a quilting project, or during a spirited game of Scrabble.
Affectionately known by her immediate family as "The Little General," Cora led with determination, strength, and love. Her love, guidance, and friendship will be deeply missed, but the memories she created and the traditions she passed down will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved.