Linda Blythe Piner

What a glorious day June 16th 2024 was when, on Father’s Day Sunday, our heavenly father took his precious daughter, Linda Piner, to her home in glory to celebrate with him. Linda was born to Leven Braxton Blythe and Nellie Viola Boyd Blythe on Sunday, August 17, 1947, in Kinston, NC.

When she was five years old the family moved to Bayboro and later to New Bern where she resided for the rest of her days. She graduated from New Bern High School in 1966 and was employed with Carolina Telephone from 1966 until her retirement in 2002. She cherished the lifelong friends that she made with the phone company.

Upon her passing she was reunited with her parents, and siblings Braxton, Charles, and Janice, as well as her precious niece Amanda.

A young boy caught her eye when they were in the sixth grade, and she was never able to look away thereafter. Harry and Linda started courting when they were in the eighth grade and wed at 20 years old. During their fifty-six-year marriage it was rare to see one without the other. The love they had in their hearts needed more room, so in 1982 they welcomed their only child, Karen, into their home. In 2010 Karen gave her mother the great honor and blessing of promoting her to Granny. Ethan will always be his Granny’s Sweetheart.

Linda found joy in watching birds and working in her flowers. She was artistically gifted and enjoyed drawing & painting the most beautiful and serene landscapes on canvas. If you find that the outdoors suddenly seem brighter, more full of color, and more peaceful, consider that she is continuing to paint on a canvas without borders. Her and Harry enjoyed roaming the US in their camper, fishing, and a good card game with the family. Linda loved the Lord and sought his face with all of her heart. Even up to the very end she made certain to read her devotional daily. She and Harry were one of the founding five couples of Brice’s Creek Bible Church and have since maintained their membership & near perfect attendance record. Her faith really took root and blossomed through being a part of a community life group. Her first words upon waking each morning were “Good Morning Jesus.” I can only imagine how delighted she is to get to tell him face to face.

To share your care and fond memories of our beloved Linda with family & friends, please join us for any and each celebration as you wish. Visitation will be Saturday, June 22nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Cotten Funeral Home (2201 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC). Her funeral service will take place on Sunday, June 23rd at 2:00pm at Brice’s Creek Bible Church (4250 Highway 70 East, New Bern, NC), and a graveside service will be held on Monday, June 24th at Greenleaf Memorial Park (900 River Rd., New Bern, NC). If you plan to attend the graveside service, please arrive at Greenleaf between 9:30 & 10:00 to park and gather at the Lakeside Chapel. Thank you for your love, care, and prayers during this time of transition.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Linda B. Piner.