Linda D. Basham

Linda was born on July 13, 1946 in Beckley, WV to father Frank Cole, who predeceased her, and mother Willie Mae Cole. She grew up in Sophia, WV, where she graduated with honors from Sophia High School in 1964 while remaining active as the head majorette for the marching band. In college, she excelled in her studies, graduating with a degree in Education from Concord College in 1973 and did graduate work at West Virginia University.

In June 1965, Linda married her high school sweetheart Doug Basham and returned to Sophia where she would begin her long and successful teaching career. Linda had an intense passion for teaching and molded the minds of young students in Southern West Virginia for over 30 years before retiring from the profession in 2004.

Outside of the love of her family and profession, Linda enjoyed many other passions. She was an active member of the Coal City, WV chapter of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron and was a Grand Representative for the Grand Chapter of West Virginia.

Linda also enjoyed spending summer days at her cabin on the Greenbrier River, cheering on the West Virginia Mountaineers at football and basketball games, playing with her beloved cat Buster, traveling to New Smyrna Beach, FL in the winter for relaxing days on the beach, and attending NASCAR races with her family and friends.

Linda is survived by her husband Doug; mother Willie Mae, son Marc Basham, and daughter Angela Callaway and her husband Slick Callaway. Linda is also survived by aunt Ann Fleshman and uncle Ralph Cole; close cousins Alan Fleshman, Amanda Fleshman, and Karen Christie; special nieces and nephews Michael Kelly, Don Kelly, Patty Kelly, Susan Basham, Mark Basham, Espy Lytle, Kelly Brogan, and LeeAnna Fleming; brothers-in-law Ivan Basham and Gary Basham; sisters-in-law Francis Kelly, Myrtle Basham, and Betty Basham, and numerous other close family members. She is preceded in her death by her father Frank.

The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the staff of the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV for all of their assistance during this difficult period.

Services for Linda will be held at the Open Door Church in Shady Spring, at 1:00pm Friday May 25, 2016 with Pastor Don Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

The family will receive friends from 11:00am until service time Friday at the church.