Laura M. Ebersole, GW #59  

Laura was born 6 August 1887 in Shamokin, Pa to Samuel and Laura (Derr) Ebersole.  Her mother died when Laura was only 8 years old.  Her older sister Sarah helped to raise the young ones.  Laura’s sister Sarah entered the Gospel Worker Society in 1901 and may have been the reason that Laura did also.  Laura served in Williamsport in 1910 with three other Gospel Workers after the printing operation moved to Cleveland.  According to a newspaper article in York, Pa in 1912, Laura had already served in the Society 8 years, meaning she entered when she was 17.   She arrived in York after spending sometime in the mission in Norfolk, Va.  Laura did not stay with the Gospel Workers; she joined Annie Spellman’s group when they split off to form the Grace and Hope mission.  In 1920 she is serving in Chicago and in 1930 she is serving in Detroit.  At some point, she married John Haney of Saylorsburg, Pa after his wife died in 1933.  He died in 1954 and is buried next to his first wife.  It appears that Laura may have rejoined the mission in Detroit after that.  She died on 24 December 1973 in Detroit.