Linda Anne Darker

Linda Anne Darker, age 84, formerly of Redding, California, passed away peacefully to eternal life on Friday, June 16, 2023 in Sparta, North Carolina. She was born in Tacoma, Maryland on January 12, 1939 to Eleanor and William Waldenmaier.

Linda attended Anna Burdick Vocational High School in Washington D.C.

At the age of 18, Linda married British Naval Chief Petty Officer Herbert T. Darker of Billericay, Essex England, her one and only love, on April 30, 1957. Together they had two sons, Christopher and Mark. Herbert became a U.S. Citizen in 1968.

Linda and Herbert moved to California in 1960 and at the age of 32 Linda completed Nursing Studies at Chabot College in Hayward, California earning an Associates of the Arts 1971. She last served at Shasta Regional Medical Center Redding, California. She became an Oncology Nurse after her husband Herbert died of cancer in 1988 and she herself was diagnosed with cancer twice. Following her retirement from nursing, she volunteered for Mercy Hospice Care in Redding, California providing comfort and care to patients and their families for several more years. In 2007, the Soroptimist International of Redding, California recognized her with the “Person of Distinction Award” for her outstanding achievements with Mercy Hospice in patient care. She was revered by her peers as a ”true nurse” and excellent at her job.

Linda was a follower of Jesus Christ. She was baptized in the Christian faith and became a Lutheran in 1960. She was a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Redding, California. She enjoyed working with the children at Vacation Bible School during the summer and giving other church members a ride to a doctor appointment or Sunday Service. She was known for her kind heart that she shared with everyone she encountered. She shared her faith and lived a Godly life.

Survivors include her best friend from High School and Sister in Law Joellen Waldenmaier of Ashland, Virginia, her son Christopher Darker and wife Tiffany of Galax, Virginia, son Mark Darker and wife Rebecca of Webb City, Missouri, seven Grandchildren, Brian Darker, Kyle Darker and wife Maria, John Darker and wife Angelena, Andrew Darker, Kimberly Darker, Christa Blake and husband Nathan, Jacob Morgan and eight Great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William P. Waldenmair and Eleanor Patterson, her devoted husband of 31 years Herbert T. Darker, and brothers William “Bill” Waldenmaier and Benjamine Waldenmaier and Grandson Michael Morgan.

Linda supported many charitable organizations during her lifetime and she would be honored if in lieu of flowers you support the Mount Calvary Lutheran School in Redding, California, American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A visitation for Linda will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cypress Chapel, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354. A committal service will occur Friday, July 14, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324.

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