Terry Linda Quarles

Terry Linda Quarles passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband Orage and daughters Amber and Alicia, on May 10, 2023. This is not an obituary about her death. This is a celebration of her beautiful life, and of the love she poured into others.

Linda, as she was known to friends and family, was an academic, a philanthropist, and the life of every party. Her party began in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on August 29, 1952. Her parents Finetta and Wallace doted on their first-born child. The family moved to San Bernardino, California in 1955 and continued to grow. Linda was incredibly close to her five siblings Wallace, Deborah, Jeanette, John and Priscilla.

Linda attended Mill Elementary, Richardson Jr. High and San Gorgonio High School. Her lifelong friends Caroline and Denise, who met Linda in the first grade and formed a trio known as, “the Valley Girls,” recall Linda was very studious. This past year, the Valley Girls became the Golden Girls, when they all turned 70. It’s true, Linda never met a book she wouldn’t open. This constant need to learn led Linda to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching from Winthrop University after a Bachelor of Arts degree from La Verne University. Until the very end, Linda loved to talk politics and send family and friends daily roundups of the most interesting things she read.

Linda often spoke with fondness and pride about her upbringing to her daughters telling them, “I had one dress for every day of the week. We had no idea we were poor because we had so much love.” Linda would go on to meet presidents, diplomats and heads of state, but she never forgot her roots.

Linda was as beautiful and stylish as she was intelligent. Given that rare combination of brains and beauty, it’s no wonder she caught the eye of a young Orage Quarles III. The two met in 1970, fell in love and this past year celebrated their 50th anniversary.

While Linda was serious about her dedication to family and learning, she also had a legendary sense of humor. When her daughter asked why Linda had such a strange expression on her face during one of her wedding day photos, she replied, “I was scared. I was thinking, what am I doing? Get me out of here.” It turns out she knew exactly what she was doing in the best way possible. She and Orage were true partners, moving across the country often, traveling the world together and raising their daughters. They were best friends, each other’s cheerleaders, sounding boards and safe spaces. Theirs was a rare love story.

Green was her favorite color. The color represents motivation, which is fitting, because if Linda loved you, she was your biggest supporter. She also loved the color red which was fitting because she was so fierce. She was fiercely loyal and didn’t suffer fools gladly. Linda used her ferocity to help countless

organizations and nonprofits raise money and awareness. She was most passionate for Habitat for Humanity, where she served on the board for many years. She also served as the board chair for the Raleigh YWCA.

Linda was truly a Renaissance woman. She did it all. In addition to the countless hours she spent raising money and volunteering, Linda was a working mother. She worked in the medical field for many years before moving into education.

This California girl eventually came to consider Raleigh her home, having been an active member of the community for 24 years. She even developed a slight southern drawl. While out and about, Linda would often see students from her days working at Southeast Raleigh High School, the Vernon Malone College & Career Academy and Millbrook High School who always greeted her with a hug and a huge smile. Linda loved her students as they loved her, keeping up with many long after their graduation.

Linda was an excellent cook. If you ever experienced one of her holiday spreads at Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas, you would yearn to come back year after year.

During their years together, Linda and Orage traveled the world. They met Nelson Mandela in South Africa, walked the Great Wall of China, toured the Hermitage Museum in Russia, visited Israel, and most recently visited Greece to celebrate their golden anniversary. Linda brought her sense of adventure and fun to every place imaginable.

Linda wasn’t all work and no play. If you were blessed to be in her inner circle, you would surely relish memories of late-night calls featuring the best conversations and laughs. Her eldest grandchildren had the delight of playtime with their “Mimi.” Mimi also made sure to spend as much time as possible with her newborn twin grandchildren. Linda’s transition was unexpected, but she never took a day for granted. Linda loved God. She loved her husband. She loved her daughters, grandchildren, friends and extended family.

She recently said, “When it’s my time, I will be at peace with it. I have lived a fabulous life.” Terry Linda Quarles, you sure did. You will be greatly missed.

In addition to her husband Orage, Linda is survived by her daughters, Amber (Wynton Taylor) and Alicia; grandchildren, London and Cayson Taylor, Hudson and Harlow Quarles; sisters, Jeanette (Clyde) and Priscilla; Mother-in-law, Louise Washington; sisters-in-law, Laura (Craig), Colleen (David), Kimberly; brothers-in-law, Robert, Tracy (Paula), Kim (Lisa); as well as her vast extended family.

A celebration of her life will be held on May 24, 2023, at Dix Park All Faiths Chapel on 11:00 AM, viewable through the link listed https://www.facebook.com/MitchellFuneralRaleigh/videos/206532312247281 , immediately followed by the repast at Mitchell Funeral Home, and burial in Raleigh Memorial Park. Although Linda loved flowers, she loved to give back even more.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County or the Dix Park Conservancy, by using the links below, under ‘Donations’.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Linda, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within ‘Add a Memory’.