Linda Dianne Smith

Linda was born on November 13, 1947, at the Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. She was the daughter of Ora Alice (Kinchen) and Clifton Earl Smith. She was a life-long resident of Baton Rouge.

Linda is survived by her mother, her two sisters, Mildred (Grady) Caldwell and Gladys (Ned) Mynatt, her nephew, William (Malissa) Brooks, great-nieces, Caroline, Madelyn, Rachael, and Jada, and great-nephews, Brendan and Jadan.

Linda was preceded in death by her father.

Linda graduated from Istrouma High School in 1965. After a year at LSU, Linda started working at age 19 for the Louisiana Department of Commerce and Industry, but soon transferred to the Department of Revenue, where she worked as an auditor in the Special Fuels Division. She especially enjoyed the travel aspect of her job which took her to many different places in Louisiana and a number of other states. She had an uncanny sense of direction which enabled her to find her way around in new places (before GPS). Linda retired in 2003, after more than 35 years with the Department.

In late 2019, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced that challenge with positivity, strength and determination and was a brave breast cancer survivor.

Linda always loved music; she starting playing piano as a young girl and sang in the church choir. She was a flute player and a proud member of the Istrouma High School Band. After retirement, Linda learned to play the mountain dulcimer and was an active member of the Lagniappe Dulcimer Society.

Linda had a wonderful smile and a ready laugh. She was a loyal and devoted friend and had several special, life-long friends from her work years and newer ones from her dulcimer days.

Sports were never Linda’s thing, but she endured playing as a youth with her sisters on the church girls’ softball team which was coached by her parents. Later in life, she became an avid LSU baseball and football fan. Purple and gold were her favorite colors. Playing early Saturday morning with her Lagniappe dulcimer friends at the Baton Rouge Farmers Market, followed by watching an LSU game on TV later that day with her mother, made for a perfect Saturday. She enjoyed reading, cooking, shopping, storytelling, visiting with her friends, and caring for her dogs. Her canine friends Bella and Joey provided much enjoyment and comfort the last several years as she dealt with her breast cancer.

A true joy in Linda’s life was the special relationship she and her nephew William had.

Linda was best friend, companion and devoted caretaker for her mother after her father died. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt and friend. Linda will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

The family will hold a private service. Linda will be laid to rest in Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Susan G. Komen for the Cure or Hospice Foundation of Greater Baton Rouge.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenoaksfunerals.com for the Smith family.