Linda Sue Jones

Linda's soul left this earth on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022 to rejoice with her heavenly father, and her loved ones who went to Heaven before her. She courageously battled Alzheimer's disease for 13 years. Linda was 79.

Linda was ONE OF A KIND. A selfless, patient, loving, and giving woman as well as a hopeless romantic, and devout Christian. Linda was the best mother this world has ever known, a caring daughter, sister, aunt, and doting Mama Linda to her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Roy Waitman Jones, mother, Vera Marie Jones, daughter, Toni Lin Christy, son, Brian Lee Christy, brothers, James Jones, and Leland Jones, sisters, Betty Jones, and Nancy Jones, as well as many beloved relatives, and friends. Our hearts are comforted in knowing she is now in the arms of Jesus, and so many loved ones she'd been missing for a very long time,

Linda's spirit is carried on by her beloved daughters, Denise Reich (Chris) of Dunnellon, FL, and Kara Atkinson (Shawn) of Dunbar, WV. Also left to carry on Linda's memory are her 7 grandchildren, Danielle Johnson, Denver Reich, Peter Reich, Malachi Davis, Aubrielle Atkinson, Camden Atkinson, and Fenway Atkinson, and 2 great-grandchildren, Kalysta Robinson, and Lyndsie Johnson who all meant the absolute world to her, as well as her best friend, and sister Janey Vealey of South Charleston, and a host of other relatives, and friends who we hope have all been inspired by her to cherish the time we have left on this earth with the ones we love.

Linda's story began on May 12, 1943 in Standard, WV. She was the youngest of 6 children to Vera Marie, and Roy Waitman Jones, She attended East Bank High School, and made sure you knew she went to school with the famous basketball player, Jerry West. It was in Standard where she met, and later married the father of her first three children, Brian Christy, Toni Christy, and Denise Christy Reich. 

Being a mother was Linda's calling. Brian, her first born, was her pride, and joy. The only boy. She was his fiercest protector. Brian became ill in his early 20's, and she devoted her life to caring for him until he moved to Florida in 1994. Toni, the quiet, and kind second born, was an old soul. Linda had to say goodbye to her when her life was cut short in an automobile accident in 1982. Our mother's world would be forever changed by that immense loss. Denise, the baby of the first three, and free spirit kept our mother on her toes, and provided countless hours of laughs, and entertainment. After remarrying, Linda had Kara, 17 years after her last baby. Kara was the momma's girl, and where you saw one you saw the other. The one thing we all have in common, she loved us more, according to her. Denise, and Kara were both caregivers for their mother during her battle with Alzheimer's. Once she required professional care, the nurses, and staff at The Grove in Hernando, FL lovingly provided everything she needed, and were by her side until she passed away after she'd spent many hours surrounded by family.

Linda was a hopeless romantic. No matter how many times she had her heart broken, she always remained optimistic that true love would find her. In the end, the only man who would remain a constant companion in her life was her Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Linda's faith would pull her through some of the darkest, and most difficult moments of her life. Whether you were listening or not she would witness to you. She never missed an opportunity to testify on what her God had done in her life.

 Linda never knew a stranger, and would talk for hours to a wrong number. It was never difficult for her to make, and keep friends. Her warm, and positive personality made her a magnet to anyone needing an ear to listen, and she always gave the best advice. "Treat others as you would like to be treated" was her motto. She lived by those words, and always treated everyone with dignity, and respect. She would give you her last penny, or the clothes off her back if she knew you needed them.

Linda made many friends in her lifetime. Some of her best friends were made at the Charleston Housing Authority where she worked from 1966 to 1981. Linda went on to make more friends at Union Carbide Corporation where she retired after working from 1981 through 2002. At Carbide, Linda accomplished many professional goals, but she most enjoyed participating in aerobics on her lunch breaks in the brightest, tightest leotard money could buy. She also loved taking part in the annual 5k walk/run, fall festivals, Christmas parties, and company picnics where she would go on to meet, and make even more friends.

Linda never went anywhere without being "ready". She always had a full face of makeup, and her hair done. She likely kept many Mary Kay, and Avon salespeople in business. She always had Avon Skin So Soft in her home because to her it not only smelled nice, but kept the bugs away. Linda's favorite perfume was Toujours Moi, and she filled every room she walked in with her memorable scent.

Linda was habitually late. If you ever got to witness her drive, or God forbid be a passenger in her vehicle when she was running late for church, it was like being at a Nascar race. For those of us who were daring enough, we got to experience that Dukes of Hazzard moment where all four tires would leave the perfectly good pavement. This happened on more than one occasion.

Linda loved to sing all types of music, but especially gospel. Linda led the adult choir at her church for many years, as well as the children's choir. She enjoyed singing solos every Sunday, and Wednesday service. She spent countless hours practicing her songs in her Maroon Lumina while racing around town. Linda often answered questions in song. She would sing to her children, their friends, her grandchildren, and basically anyone who begged her to sing to them. Her voice was heavenly, and effortless. Ours, and her favorite song to sing together was "A Bushel and a Peck".

Linda was an expert storyteller of true, and make-believe tales. Listening to her tell stories was better than reading any book or watching a movie. If you were lucky enough to experience the story of the apple tree that had to be acted out on your back with her gentle fingertips - consider yourself blessed.

 Linda loved to cook. Her famous specialty was "spicy rice", which she made for every single church gathering, and family get together. She lost count of how many people asked her for the recipe, which she was always willing to share. Other memorable dishes were her fried potatoes, kielbasa and kraut, pinto beans with cornbread, chicken salad with Mrs. Dash, and made from scratch biscuits.

Linda also loved to read. If she wasn't singing, she was reading. Her guilty pleasure was romance novels. She even picked one of her children's names from one. She often had trouble finding books at the library she hadn't already read once or twice before.

Linda also loved to dance. She didn't mind if she danced alone - she often did. She was the epitome of the phrase "dance like nobody's watching". But she enjoyed dancing the jitterbug with a partner when the opportunity presented itself. Watching her dance was awe inspiring. The smile on her face would light up the entire room. She enjoyed dancing with her children, and grandchildren as well.

Most of all, Linda loved to love. She was kind, compassionate, understanding, and made you feel safe. Her homes were filled with plenty of love, laughter, and good times. She played endlessly with her children, and grandchildren. She was never too tired, and you never felt like you were bothering her. Her house was the house all the neighborhood kids ended up at because they knew they were welcome, and safe. She truly was, and always will be one of a kind. Our world will never be the same without her in it, but we will ensure her memory lives on in all of us.

 We love you mom, a bushel and a peck.

Linda loved flowers, but she would've loved more than anything to have more time with her family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org, or to Hilarity for Charity at wearehfc.org.

A celebration of life will be held at Standard Baptist Church in Gallagher, WV at a later date, likely in the spring when the flowers are blooming. More information will be provided at that time. 

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