Linda Gayle Hibler

Born on October 13, 1943, in San Saba, Texas, to A.D. and Willie Belle Frizzell Smith, Linda grew up in the close-knit San Saba community she cherished throughout her life. A proud graduate of San Saba High School’s Class of 1962, she was voted Senior Class Favorite.

On December 22, 1962, she married Harry Dean Hibler. Together they built a home in Austin, Texas, and raised two children, Jana Leigh and Leslie Dean.

Linda dedicated nearly 30 years to McMorris/Maxwell Ford as a Service Warranty Administrator. Outside of work, she loved to travel—but always by car—and the family took yearly road trips across the southern US. Sometimes the trip wasn’t even planned and they would just pick a direction to drive.

Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. Linda spent years crisscrossing Texas, and even parts of Oklahoma and Louisiana, for karate tournaments with Jana and Les, and later traveled across the country for softball and baseball games with her grandchildren, Brandon and Emily. She never missed a tournament or a game!

North Carolina was a favorite place to visit. Trips were always about the little towns and back roads, thrifting and looking for trolls to collect. Ultimately, she always returned to San Saba as often as she could to see friends and family.

At home, Linda enjoyed cheering on UT Longhorn sports, watching the Little League World Series, spending time in her yard, and caring for the lively menagerie of dogs, cats, and birds that filled the household over the years. Her family will forever remember the stories of the “questionable decisions” made at the border and her enduring love of solitaire.

Linda is survived by her children Jana Opheim and Leslie Hibler (Jocelyn); grandchildren Brandon Opheim and Emily Brewer (Jeff); step-grandson Hunter Dowd (Laurie); and great‑grandchildren Hudson, Beckham, and Callum Brewer, and Rowan Dowd. She also leaves behind her sister, Betty Smith.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Harry Dean.